Transforming architectural heritage documentation: developing integrated European recommendations for safeguarding and preservation
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract The safeguarding and preservation of architectural heritage are pivotal to maintaining Europe’s cultural identity, while current documentation practices remain fragmented and unevenly applied across regions. This article critically evaluates existing standards, recommendations, and best practices to identify gaps and inconsistencies in architectural documentation methodologies across European Countries. Based on this evaluation, we propose an integrated and adaptive European recommendation for architectural heritage documentation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Digital and Traditional Archives Management
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (67)
Show source-provided references
1. Stylianidis, E. CIPA—heritage documentation: 50 years: looking backwards. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XLII-2/W14, 1–130 (2019).10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W14-1-2019 ↗
2. Stylianidis, E. & Remondino, F. 3D Recording, Documentation and Management of Cultural Heritage (Whittles Publishing, 2017).
3. Rizou, M. E., Marcelli, R., Capoccia, G. & Proietti, E. Non-destructive microwave techniques for the quantification and elimination of moisture in cultural heritage monuments. J. Cult. Herit. 67, 270–276 (2024).10.1016/j.culher.2024.03.003 ↗
4. Kot, P. et al. Recent advancements in non-destructive testing techniques for structural health monitoring. Appl. Sci. 11, 2750 (2021).10.3390/app11062750 ↗
5. Kot, P. et al. Combination of the photogrammetric and microwave remote sensing for cultural heritage documentation and preservation—preliminary results. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XLIII-B2-2, 1409–1413 (2020).10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B2-2020-1409-2020 ↗
6. Muradov, M. et al. Non-destructive system for in-wall moisture assessment of cultural heritage buildings. Meas. J. Int. Meas. Confed. 203, 111930 (2022).10.1016/j.measurement.2022.111930 ↗
7. Tobiasz, A. et al. Review of methods for documentation, management, and sustainability of cultural heritage. case study: Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów. Sustain. 11, 7046 (2019).10.3390/su11247046 ↗
8. Campos, M. B., Tommaselli, A. M. G., Ivánová, I. & Billen, R. Data product specification proposal for architectural heritage documentation with photogrammetric techniques: A case study in Brazil. Remote Sens. 7, 13337–13363 (2015).10.3390/rs71013337 ↗
9. Costanzo, A., Minasi, M., Casula, G., Musacchio, M. & Buongiorno, M. F. Combined use of terrestrial laser scanning and IR Thermography applied to a historical building. Sensors ((Switzerland)) 15, 194–213 (2014).10.3390/s150100194 ↗
10. Lanteri, L., Agresti, G. & Pelosi, C. A New Practical Approach for 3D Documentation in Ultraviolet Fluorescence and Infrared Reflectography of Polychromatic Sculptures as Fundamental Step in Restoration. Heritage 2, 207–215 (2019).10.3390/heritage2010015 ↗
11. Storeide, M. S. B., George, S., Sole, A. & Hardeberg, J. Y. Standardization of digitized heritage: a review of implementations of 3D in cultural heritage. Herit. Sci. 11, 1–22 (2023).10.1186/s40494-023-01079-z ↗
12. Boardman, C. & Bryan, P. 3D laser scanning for heritage. Advice guide use laser scanning archaeology and architecture Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/3d-laser-scanning-heritage/heag155-3d-laser-scanning (2018).
13. Chiabrando, F., Donadio, E. & Rinaudo, F. SfM for orthophoto generation: a winning approach for cultural heritage knowledge. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. - ISPRS Arch. 40, 91–98 (2015).
14. Quintero, M. S. et al. Theory and practice on Terrestrial Laser Scanning. pointclouds.eu. https://pointclouds.eu/Downloads/01_Documents/Leonardo_Tutorial_Final_vers5_ENGLISH.pdf (2008).
15. Bianco, S. Evaluating the performance of structure from motion pipelines. J. Imaging. 4, 98 (2018).10.3390/jimaging4080098 ↗
16. Bastonero, P., Donadio, E., Chiabrando, F. & Spanò, A. Fusion of 3D models derived from TLS and image-based techniques for CH enhanced documentation. ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. II–5, 73–80 (2014).
17. Liu, S. & Bin Mamat, M. J. Application of 3D laser scanning technology for mapping and accuracy assessment of the point cloud model for the Great Achievement Palace heritage building. Herit. Sci. 12, 1–17 (2024).10.1186/s40494-024-01252-y ↗
18. Sestras, P. et al. Land surveying with UAV photogrammetry and LiDAR for optimal building planning. Autom. Constr. 173, 106092 (2025).10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106092 ↗
19. Martínez-Carricondo, P., Carvajal-Ramírez, F., Yero-Paneque, L. & Agüera-Vega, F. Combination of HBIM and UAV photogrammetry for modelling and documentation of forgotten heritage. Case study: Isabel II dam in Níjar (Almería, Spain). Herit. Sci. 9, 1–15 (2021).10.1186/s40494-021-00571-8 ↗
20. Ávila, F., Blanca-Hoyos, Á, Puertas, E. & Gallego, R. HBIM: background, current trends, and future prospects. Appl. Sci. 14, 11191 (2024).10.3390/app142311191 ↗
21. Fattore, C. et al. A comprehensive overview of heritage bim frameworks: platforms and technologies integrating multi-scale analyses, data repositories, and sensor systems. Heritage 8, 247 (2025).10.3390/heritage8070247 ↗
22. Liu, J. & Li, B. Heritage building information modelling (HBIM): a review of published case studies. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XLVIII-1–2, 387–393 (2024).10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-1-2024-387-2024 ↗
23. Brusaporci, S., Maiezza, P., Marra, A., Tata, A. & Vespasiano, L. Scan-to-HBIM reliability. Drones 7, 426 (2023).10.3390/drones7070426 ↗
24. Quattrini, R., Malinverni, E. S., Clini, P., Nespeca, R. & Orlietti, E. From TLS to HBIM. High quality semantically-aware 3d modeling of complex architecture. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XL-5/W4, 367–374 (2015).10.5194/isprsarchives-XL-5-W4-367-2015 ↗
25. Gros, A., De Luca, L., Dubois, F., Véron, P. & Jacquot, K. From surveys to simulations: integrating Notre-Dame de Paris’ buttressing system diagnosis with knowledge graphs. Autom. Constr. 170, 105927 (2025).10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105927 ↗
26. Klapa, P., Żygadło, A. & Pepe, M. 3D heritage reconstruction through HBIM and multi-source data fusion: geometric change analysis across decades. Appl. Sci. 15, 8929 (2025).10.3390/app15168929 ↗
27. Tsiachta, A. et al. Multi-sensor image and range-based techniques for the geometric documentation and the photorealistic 3d modeling of complex architectural monuments. Sensors 24, 2671 (2024).10.3390/s24092671 ↗
28. Alshawabkeh, Y. & Baik, A. Integration of photogrammetry and laser scanning for enhancing scan-to-HBIM modeling of Al Ula heritage site. Herit. Sci. 11, 147 (2023).10.1186/s40494-023-00997-2 ↗
29. Chrysanthakopoulou, A., Kalatzis, K. & Moustakas, K. Immersive virtual reality experience of historical events using haptics and locomotion simulation. Appl. Sci. 11, 11613 (2021).10.3390/app112411613 ↗
30. Lin, C., Xia, G., Nickpour, F. & Chen, Y. A review of emotional design in extended reality for the preservation of culture heritage. npj Herit. Sci. 13, 86 (2025).10.1038/s40494-025-01625-x ↗
31. Muñoz, A., Climent-Ferrer, J. J., Martí-Testón, A., Solanes, J. E. & Gracia, L. Enhancing cultural heritage engagement with novel interactive extended-reality multisensory system. Electronics 14, 2039 (2025).10.3390/electronics14102039 ↗
32. Papadopoulou, A., Kontos, D. & Georgopoulos, A. Developing a VR tool for 3D architectural measurements. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XLVI-2/W1-, 421–427 (2022).10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVI-2-W1-2022-421-2022 ↗
33. Liang, W., Ahmad, Y. & Mohidin, H. H. B. The development of the concept of architectural heritage conservation and its inspiration. Built Herit. 7, 21 (2023).10.1186/s43238-023-00103-2 ↗
34. Chen, Y., Wu, Y., Sun, X., Ali, N. & Zhou, Q. Digital documentation and conservation of architectural heritage information: an application in modern Chinese architecture. Sustain. 15, 7276 (2023).10.3390/su15097276 ↗
35. ICOMOS. The Venice Charter 1964. IInd International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments, Venice, 1964. https://icahm.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1964-Venice-Charter.pdf (1964).
36. Oers, R. & Bandarin, F. Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape. UNESCO. https://unesco.org.uk/site/assets/files/1901/recommendation_on_the_historic_urban_landscape.pdf (2011).10.1002/9781119968115 ↗
37. Angeloni, R., Mariotti, C., Petetta, L. & Coppetta, L. Enabling SCAN-TO-BIM workflow for heritage conservation and management process. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. XLVIII-M–2, 79–86 (2023).10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-2-2023-79-2023 ↗
38. Pepe, M., Costantino, D., Alfio, V. S., Restuccia, A. G. & Papalino, N. M. Scan to BIM for the digital management and representation in 3D GIS environment of cultural heritage site. J. Cult. Herit. 50, 115–125 (2021).10.1016/j.culher.2021.05.006 ↗
39. Europeana Network Association Members Council. Basic principles and tips for 3D digitisation of tangible cultural heritage for cultural heritage professionals and institutions and other custodians of cultural heritage. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/basic-principles-and-tips-3d-digitisation-cultural-heritage (2020).
40. Krupocin, D. & Krupocin, J. The impact of climate change on cultural security. J. Strateg. Secur. 13, 1–28 (2020).10.5038/1944-0472.13.4.1847 ↗
41. UNESCO. Basic texts of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO. https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/2003_Convention_Basic_Texts-_2020_version-EN.pdf (2020).
42. Climate Change and Cultural Heritage Working Group. The future of our pasts. ICOMOS CIVVIH. https://civvih.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/Future-of-Our-Pasts-Report-min.pdf (2019).
43. Ioannides, M., Georgopoulos, A. & Scherer, M. Standards in Cultural Heritage: the Missing Grammar for the Digital Documentation of the Past. CIPA 2005 XX International Symposium https://www.cipaheritagedocumentation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Ioannides-e.a.-Standards-in-cultural-heritage_the-missing-grammar-for-the-digital-documentation-of-the-past.pdf (2005).
44. Gratton, P. & Gratton, G. Making Recommendations. in Achieving Success with the Engineering Dissertation 171–175; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33192-4_12 (Springer International Publishing, 2020).10.1007/978-3-030-33192-4_12 ↗
45. International Organisation for Standardization. ISO:14006 environmental management systems—guidelines for incorporating ecodesign. Int. Organ. Stand. https://www.iso.org/standard/72644.html (2020).
46. ICOMOS. The Nara document on authenticity. Knowl. Creat. Diffus. Util. 309, 9–12 (1994).
47. ICOMOS General Assembly. The Seville principles—international principles of virtual archaeology. ICOMOS. https://icomos.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Seville-Principles-IN-ES-FR.pdf (2017).
48. Waldhäusl, P. & Ogleby, C. L. 3 × 3 rules for simple photogrammetric documentation of architecture. CIPA Heritage. https://www.cipaheritagedocumentation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Waldh%C3%A4usl-Ogleby-3x3-rules-for-simple-photogrammetric-documentation-of-architecture.pdf (1994).
49. Waldhäusl, P., Ogleby, C., Lerma, J. L. & Georgopoulos, A. 3 × 3 rules for simple photogrammetric documentation of architecture. ISPRS Comm. V Symp. https://www.cipaheritagedocumentation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Waldh%C3%A4usl-Ogleby-3x3-rules-for-simple-photogrammetric-documentation-of-architecture.pdf (2013).
50. D’Andrea, A. & Fernie, K. CARARE 2.0: a metadata schema for 3D cultural objects in 2013 Digital Heritage International Congress (DigitalHeritage) (eds. Addison, A., Guidi, G., Luca, L. De & Pescarin, S.) 137–143 (IEEE, 2013).10.1109/DigitalHeritage.2013.6744745 ↗
51. International Organisation for Standardization. ISO:21127 information and documentation—a reference ontology for the interchange of cultural heritage information. Int. Organ. Stand. https://www.iso.org/standard/85100.html (2023).
52. English Heritage. MIDAS Heritage The UK Historic Environment Data Standard Version 1.1. Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/midas-heritage/midas-heritage-2012-v1_1/ (2012).
53. Cultura, M. Guidelines for 3D documentation of cultural assets (Linee guida per la digitalizzazione 3D). docs.italia.it. https://docs.italia.it/media/pdf/icdp-pnd-digitalizzazione-docs/v1.0-giugno-2022/icdp-pnd-digitalizzazione-docs.pdf (2022).
54. ÖNORM. A6250-2 Recording and documentation of buildings and outdoor facilities - Part 2: Inventory and construction of listed objects (Aufnahme und Dokumentation von Bauwerken und Außenanlagen - Teil 2: Bestands- und Bauaufnahme von denkmalgeschützten Objekten). Austrian Standards. https://www.austrian-standards.at/de/shop/onorm-a-6250-2-2015-03-15~p2125032 (2015).
55. Tsingas, V. Acropolis of Athens: Recording, Modeling and Visualising a Major Archaeological Site. Int. J. Herit. Digit. Era 1, 169–190 (2012).10.1260/2047-4970.1.2.169 ↗
56. Dell’Unto, N. et al. Digital reconstruction and visualization in archaeology Case-study drawn from the work of the Swedish Pompeii Project in 2013 Digital Heritage International Congress (DigitalHeritage) (eds. Addison, A., Guidi, G., Luca, L. De & Pescarin, S.) 621–628 (IEEE, 2013).10.1109/DigitalHeritage.2013.6743804 ↗
57. Antonopoulou, S. & Bryan, P. BIM for Heritage Developing a Historic Building Information Model. Histroic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/bim-for-heritage/heag-154-bim-for-heritage/ (2017).
58. Hindmarch, J., Hess, M., Groh, M. & Burioni, M. A semi-automated methodology for 3D imaging of large vaulted ceiling paintings. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci. - ISPRS Arch. 48, 721–727 (2023).
59. Carriero, V. A. et al. ArCo: the Italian Cultural Heritage Knowledge Graph. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 11779, 36–52 (2019).10.1007/978-3-030-30796-7_3 ↗
60. Doer, M. et al. CRMdig (CIDOC CRM Digital) version 4.0. CIDOC CRM. https://cidoc-crm.org/sites/default/files/CRMdigv4.0.pdf (2022)
61. AEC (UK) BIM Technology Protocol AEC (UK) BIM Technology Protocol Practical implementation of BIM for the UK Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. aecuk.wordpress.com. https://aecuk.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/aecukbimtechnologyprotocol-v2-1-1-201506022.pdf (2015).
62. Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa, N.H.B. of P. Good practice in documenting architectural monuments with contemporary methods of digital terrestrial recording (Dobre Praktyki w Zakresie Wykonywania Dokumentacji Zabytków Architektury Współczesnymi Metodami Naziemnej Rejestracji Cyfrowej). gov.pl. https://nid.pl/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dobre-praktyki-w-zakresie-wykonywania-dokumentacji-zabytkow-architektury.pdf (2021).
63. Narodowy Instytut Muzealnictwa i Ochrony Zabytków Catalogue of Good Practice for the Digitisation of Museum Objects (Katalog Dobrych Praktyk i Rekomendacji). nim.gov.pl. https://nim.gov.pl/files/publications/73/Katalog%20Dobrych%20Praktyk2021.pdf (2021).
64. Byran, P.,Blake, B., Bedford, J. & Mills, P. Metric Survey Specifications for English Heritage (ed. Andrews, D.) 1–207 (English Heritage, 2015).
65. Historic England. Photogrammetric Applications for Cultural Heritage. Guid. Good Practice. Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/photogrammetric-applications-for-cultural-heritage/heag066-photogrammetric-applications-cultural-heritage/ (2017).
66. Eckstein, G., Baden-Württemberg, L., Henes-Klaiber, U., Goer, M., Gromer, J. & Schäfer, H. Recommendations for building documentation: Building survey: Building inspection Workbooks from the Stuttgart Regional Council – State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments (Empfehlungen für Baudokumentationen: Bauaufnahme: Bauuntersuchung Arbeitshefte Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart - Landesamt für Denkmalpflege) 1–80 (Landesdenkmalamt Baden-Württemberg, 1999).
67. BLfD (Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege) Guidelines for the documentation of archaeological excavations in Bavaria (Vorgaben Zur Dokumentation Archäologischer Ausgrabungen in Bayern). blfd.bayern.de https://www.blfd.bayern.de/mam/information_und_service/fachanwender/dokuvorgaben_april_2020.pdf (2020).