A New Strategy of ICT Integrated Methodologies for 3D Documentation.

Abstract

The Roshan represents one of the most characteristic aspects of traditional architecture in Hejaz region in Saudi Arabia and a frequent feature in most of the Historical Jeddah’s heritage buildings. The old city has witnessed continued degradation recently, which has caused the loss its traditional architecture and hundreds of these projected wooden windows. Documentation is a major step towards heritage preservation, whether threatened by man-made or natural factors. However, due to the absence of specialists and experts an architectural database of the roshans does not exist. Surveying these architectural elements is a very laborious and difficult process when using conventional methodologies including the laser sensors approach mainly due to the onsite limitations. Establishing an architectural database of the roshans is the main objective in this investigation. Thus, this research presents a new of ICT integrated methodologies based on the continuous development of data capture and modelling methodologies that allows the accurate recording the most complex parts even intricate details and ornaments which are typically found in roshans. Recent advances in image based techniques (digital close-range photogrammetry and computer vision) such as the semi-automated and automated solutions of Dense Stereo Matching (DSM), Structure from Motion (SfM) and 3D modelling software has offered an accurate, inexpensive and practical solution to surveying, documenting and reconstructing these architectural heritage features. In this research the application of these methods is tested and evaluated on the roshans in the historical city of Jeddah. In addition, there is an immediate need for training new technicians and architects who could ensure documentation and conservation of remaining heritage. Thus, we propose an integration of new technologies, flexible, high interconnectivity, and high usability data formats to capture, model, and simulate these elements of heritage interest. For this purpose, an academic experiment involving architecture students from Jeddah was designed. The experiment required students to engage with a new integration of ICT-Hybrid technologies that incorporate dynamic and fast processes for 3D documentation and modelling. In this research, we evaluate the usability of the proposed strategy as well as investigate ideas that may bring us closer to the goal of effective heritage documentation.