HISTORIC BUILDINGS
DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF THE TIN HOUSE COURTYARD, OTTAWA, CANADA, 2016
Participants: Luis E. Bello Caballero, Davide Mezzino (Architect, ITA), Alex Federman (Architect, CAN), and Mario Santana Quintero (Architect & Professor, CAN)
The Tin House Courtyard, situated in Ottawa, Canada, is a property under the stewardship of the National Capital Commission (NCC). Positioned within the renowned 'Mile of History'—a historical route stretching from Parliament Hill to the Governor General's residence—the site holds significant cultural value. Presently, the existing assets within the courtyard are undergoing intervention works encompassing preservation and renewal measures.
As part of this extensive project, one of the initial tasks involved the meticulous documentation of the facades comprising the site. To fulfill this crucial requirement, the NCC entrusted the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS) at Carleton University in Ottawa with the responsibility of conducting the comprehensive recording of the area.
The data collection process for the Tin House Courtyard involved two fieldwork sessions. In the first session, a substantial amount of data was gathered within a span of seven hours. However, due to site constraints such as vehicular traffic, constant passers-by, and the presence of a diplomatic seat on Sussex Drive, a second session of approximately four hours was necessary to capture the missing features.
The limitations imposed by the diplomatic seat impacted the use and placement of equipment, preventing the use of tools like drones for aerial photography. Nevertheless, cutting-edge survey techniques and digital technologies were employed during the fieldwork to ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of the courtyard.
State-of-the-art equipment and software tools were utilized, resulting in a diverse range of data outputs. These outputs included 2D vector files and image files, as well as a 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) model. The BIM model provided invaluable information about the shapes, dimensions, materials, textures, colors, constructive details, and decorative elements present within the Tin House Courtyard.
DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF CAST-RON PILLARS, LEUVEN, BELGIUM, 2016
Participants: Luis E. Bello Caballero, and students from the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation (RLICC)
The digital documentation of the Tin House Courtyard was carried out as part of the ArchDoc course offered within the Master of Conservation of Monuments and Sites program at RLICC-KU Leuven. The primary objective of this exercise was to record and model various sections of the historic building using advanced techniques such as photogrammetry, rectified photography, and the utilization of CAD systems.
During the course, students were trained in the application of these methods to capture accurate and detailed representations of the building's architectural elements. Photogrammetry allowed for the creation of 3D models based on photographs taken from multiple angles, while rectified photography ensured precise measurements and perspectives. Additionally, the use of CAD systems facilitated the organization and manipulation of the captured data.
By engaging in this exercise as part of the ArchDoc course, students gained practical experience in digital documentation techniques essential for preserving and studying historic buildings, equipping them with valuable skills for their future careers in monuments and sites conservation.
Digital Documentation of The 'Sint-Jans Gildenhuis' Building, Mechelen, Belgium, 2015
Participants: Luis E. Bello Caballero, Afroditi Nerologou (GRE), Firat Seker (Historian, TUR), Helena ten Berge (Historian, BEL), and Myonghwan Ko (Architect, KOR)
The digital documentation was conducted in the ArchDoc course within the Master of Conservation of Monuments and Sites (RLICC-KU Leuven). The exercise aimed at recording and modeling different parts of the building by means of photogrammetry, rectified photography, and the use of a laser scanner, a total station, and CAD systems.
