project results

Methodologies/guidelines –Cooperation processes and methodologies to outline operating standards for Generating Computer-based Visualisation of Cultural Heritage (CVCH)

The digital revolution has introduced new ways to study and represent the past through virtual 3D reconstructions. Based on textual and figurative sources, these models are widely used by architects, historians, restorers, and archaeologists to visualize lost or unrealized artefacts. However, the increasing production of these models has raised concerns about their scientific reliability, prompting the need for shared standards, methodologies, and terminology.

The project aims to establish guidelines for creating, documenting, and critically evaluating 3D reconstructions following the UNESCO Charter on Digital Heritage (2003). The CVCH model, designed for scientific dissemination and architectural heritage studies, must be accompanied by detailed methodology and source documentation to ensure transparency and validity.

Four key scientific qualities define the CVCH model:

  1. Constructive aspects – Accuracy of 3D geometry and modelling techniques (e.g., NURBS, mesh modelling).
  2. Traceability – Reliability and consistency of sources, including historical verification.
  3. Accessibility & Reusability – Compliance with standards, interoperability across platforms, and reusability for further research.
  4. Visualization – Effective rendering and representation techniques to communicate scientific content.

To support these standards, a glossary has been developed to address the lack of a shared vocabulary in the field of hypothetical virtual 3D reconstruction. The project ultimately aims to establish clear scientific criteria to enhance the credibility and usability of 3D reconstructions in historical research.

The derivable are:

3D models Computer-based Visualisation of Cultural Heritage CVCH

Project Result 2 (PR02) is directly connected to Project Result 1 (PR01). While PR01 establishes the theoretical and methodological foundation, PR02 is the practical application, verifying the methodology through real case studies.

The project has two key objectives:

  1. Assess the reliability of the proposed methodology by applying it to real case studies.
  2. Develop reference examples of Good Practices for CoVHer educational projects, including MOOCs and Architectural Drawing Workshops (ILPs).

A specific goal is to create 3D Computer-based Visualizations of Cultural Heritage (CVCH) for architectures that no longer exist or were never built. Each project partner will develop a set number of 3D models, selecting case studies in collaboration with local stakeholders.

The CVCH models must meet four scientific criteria:

  1. Constructive aspects – Accuracy of the 3D model’s structure.
  2. Use of sources & historical reconstruction quality – Ensuring traceability and reliability.
  3. Platform compatibility, reusability, and interoperability – Using standardized formats.
  4. Visualization techniques – Different modelling methods (mathematical and polygonal) for structure and visual representation.

The project also integrates Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the user experience, allowing students and the public to explore lost or unrealized architectures. This immersive approach aims to improve spatial perception, evoke emotional engagement with historical architecture, and raise awareness of cultural heritage.

Additionally, Mixed Reality (MR), combining VR and Augmented Reality (AR), offers innovative possibilities. For example, an architect and an engineer from different locations could collaborate on a virtual reconstruction of a historical site. This technology has immense potential for archaeologists, art historians, and architects, particularly in virtual courses exploring lost places.

The project envisions a future where virtual reconstructions become a standard tool in cultural heritage education and research, offering new ways to interact with and preserve architectural history.

The project deliverables are:

The 3D models have been uploaded to the CoVHer platform (https://repository.covher.eu/).

CoVHer Platform Website as a Repository Open Access for Scientific 3D Models of Cultural Heritage

Dedicated to collecting 3D CVCH models of unbuilt or destroyed architectures. Unlike existing digital heritage platforms (e.g., Inception-project Horizon 2020), CoVHer is uniquely focused on structures that were never realized or have been lost over time.

Key Achievements:

  1. Creation of a Digital Repository
    • The platform now hosts a growing collection of 3D reconstructions of historical architectures, making them accessible for researchers and the public.
  2. Integration of Critical Metadata & Paradata
    • Each 3D model is accompanied by documentary sources, explanations of how sources were used (paradata), and technical details about the model’s nature (polygonal, mathematical, or mixed).
    • All entries documenting 3D models were developed on the basis of CIDOC CRM-based application ontology OntPreHer3D to align with Linked Open Data standards, ensuring interoperability and traceability of information.
  3. Support for Model Reusability & Modification
    • . Users can upload, reuse, modify, and submit updated versions of 3D models directly on the platform.
    • Whenever possible, both mathematical and numerical models have been provided.
    • Each reconstruction is available in two formats:
      • Native format
      • Universal interchange format (e.g., OBJ/FBX/GLB for polygonal models, 3DM for mathematical models)
  4. Ensuring Accessibility & Licensing Compliance
    • Metadata and paradata facilitate traceability, reusability, and access through clarified Creative Commons licensing.
  5. Two Dedicated User Experiences
    • For scholars: The platform serves as a scientific research tool for architects, engineers, historians, and archaeologists.
    • For the general public: A user-friendly experience has been developed to promote European architectural and cultural heritage, allowing non-experts to explore lost or never-built structures.

The CoVHer platform now stands as a pioneering digital resource, bridging academic research and public engagement in the field of architectural heritage visualization.

The result derivable is the:

3D Repository for CoVHer 

CoVHer Open Educational Resources – Innovative Didactic Modules

The main achievement of the project has been the creation of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) titled “CoVHer: Computer-based Visualization of Architectural Cultural Heritage”, now available on the University of Bologna’s platform and open to everyone.

Key Achievements:

  1. Launch of the CoVHer MOOC
    • The first comprehensive online course dedicated to 3D CVCH model creation and evaluation.
    • Available on the University of Bologna’s e-learning platform, ensuring global accessibility.
    • Structured into four teaching parts, covering:
      1. WEEK 1 – Get to Know Hypothetical Reconstructions
      2. WEEK 2 – From broken fragments to reconstructed buildings
      3. WEEK 3 – Best practices for 3D modelling and Visualization
      4. WEEK 4 – Documenting, Sharing, and Reusing the 3D Model
  2. Implementation of Blended Learning Modules in University Curricula
    • Integrated innovative teaching modules into architecture and engineering courses at partner universities.
    • Combined MOOC resources with traditional academic lectures, creating a hybrid learning approach.
    • Implemented across partner institutions, benefiting both local and Erasmus students.
  3. Development of a Shared Standard for 3D CVCH Models
    • Addressed the lack of standardization in 3D digital heritage models, ensuring they meet scientific and educational criteria.
    • Integrated with the CoVHer digital platform (https://repository.covher.eu/), ensuring compatibility with existing digital heritage repositories.
  4. Student Engagement & Impact
    • The MOOC is open to anyone worldwide, with a potential reach of thousands of students.
    • Approximately 250 students from partner universities directly participated in the blended learning modules (during the development and testing phase of the platform, in the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year).
    • Student evaluations and final exam results provided feedback for continuous improvement.

The CoVHer MOOC and blended learning modules now serve as a benchmark for digital heritage education, offering a structured, accessible, and standardized approach to the study of computer-based visualization of architectural cultural heritage.

The Deliverable is:

The CoVHer MOOC