How to Properly Digitize Cultural, Architectural and Historical Buildings?

By thanhnien.vn - 29/10/2023

The digitization of architectural structures, especially cultural and historical monuments, has become a popular trend worldwide, including in Vietnam. But how can we digitize correctly according to the Heritage Building Information Modeling (H-BIM) guidelines set by UNESCO?

Mr. Tran Tan Phuc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Portcoast Consultant Corporation, cited the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House as an example when discussing the digitization of cultural and historical monuments in Vietnam. Mr. Phuc recounted that a day after the fire incident at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (on April 15, 2019), he, along with Mr. Hua Ngoc Thuan, the former Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and artist Huu Luan, who was then the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, had a meeting, introducing the idea of digitizing the opera house, which is now over 120 years old.

The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House was designed by French architect Eugene Ferret, inspired by the flamboyant architecture of the Third French Republic. Constructed in 1898 and completed in 1900, the opera house is centrally located in the city, connecting to the subway station of Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien). The building has a symmetrical structure, standing 2 meters above the street level, with a double-layered soundproof door system to block street noise. Its domed roof with distinctive relief sculptures makes the opera house resemble a magnificent "Arc de Triomphe" when viewed from afar.

The architecture of the opera house captivates with its exquisite carved statues, dazzling crystal chandeliers, and the polished granite floor of the grand lobby. The auditorium, designed in an oval shape to reduce echoes, can accommodate 468 guests, ensuring sound quality and an unobstructed view of the stage from every seat. The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House has undergone several restorations, with the most significant one being 25 years ago, on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, restoring it almost to its original state.

After more than a year of implementation, Portcoast has completely digitized the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House following the Heritage Building Information Modeling (H-BIM) to carry out procedures of UNESCO.

Mr. Tran Tan Phuc stated that previously, these complex digitization tasks had to be carried out by international entities, but now domestic units in Vietnam have fully taken on these roles. Specifically, Portcoast is the first company in Vietnam, and possibly in Southeast Asia, to have achieved this. It is also the only entity in Vietnam currently recognized as a science and technology enterprise by the Ministry of Science and Technology, with technological products such as the process of constructing 3D digital models for the current status of structures using 3D laser scanning technology; and the procedure for building BIM and H-BIM information models for structures and heritage conservation tasks.

In Vietnam, administrative agencies have been interested in investing and deploying digitization projects for heritage sites. However, Mr. Tran Tan Phuc believes that there still exist some misconceptions about the digitization of cultural and historical monuments. One such misconception is that the digitization of heritage merely needs to focus on Virtual 360, and some places just add a few 3D models of displayed artifacts.

According to Mr. Phuc, Virtual 360 and 3D models of displayed artifacts are tools that allow viewers to experience heritage in a vivid and visual manner, even if they can't visit in person. However, these tools cannot replace the assessment of the current condition of the structure, the identification of preservation issues, and the determination of appropriate restoration and conservation solutions.

Assessing the current condition of a structure is the first crucial step in the preservation process. This task should be performed by experts with the necessary skills and experience. These experts will identify issues related to the structure, materials, and other aspects of the construction. Based on their findings, they will propose appropriate solutions that neither compromise the historical and cultural value nor jeopardize the structure's sustainability.

Mr. Phuc believes that the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (France) after the fire on April 15, 2019, is the most compelling testament to digitization. The fire had destroyed most of the roof, bell tower, and wooden structures inside. Fortunately, all these details had been captured by Ubisoft, the developer of the video game Assassin's Creed, using 3D Laser scanning in 2014. Researchers and engineers utilized the 3D laser scan data to create a detailed H-BIM model of the cathedral, helping identify the location and size of the destroyed structures. This model was also used to draft plans for the cathedral's restoration, facilitating a quicker and more efficient recovery process for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

To effectively implement digitization projects for heritage sites, Mr. Tran Tan Phuc recommends that management agencies should develop digitization plans that are tailored to the characteristics and needs of each heritage site. The digitization process should adopt H-BIM - a useful tool for preserving architectural heritage - in line with UNESCO guidelines. At the same time, there should be an emphasis on training and enhancing the knowledge and skills of officials and specialists, as well as strengthening collaboration with expert entities in the digitization of heritage sites. Effective application of H-BIM will enable managers to efficiently carry out heritage digitization projects and preserve the cultural values of humanity.

Currently, the legal foundations for the application of H-BIM are well-established since heritage sites are also considered structures, and furthermore, they are a special kind of structure. Notably, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2026/QD-TTg on December 2, 2021, approving the Digitalization Program of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage for the period 2021 - 2030. It specifically states: "Research and establish a unified digital platform for the management and preservation of data in the field of cultural heritage; capable of expanding to allow localities and organizations to connect and integrate with other information systems of the Government, localities, and related organizations."