Spatial Contextualization of Cultural Heritage – the Cupola of the Torres de las Damas on the Alhambra

Arie KAI-BROWNE | Thomas BREMER | Kay KOHLMEYER | Julia GONNELLA | Sebastian PLESCH | Susanne BRANDHORST | Jona SCHLEGEL
(University of Applied Sciences Berlin (HTW-Berlin), Berlin, Germany)

Keywords: Virtual and Augmented Reality, Alhambra, Image-based Modelling, 3D-Scan

Abstract:
The technological advance in the field of image-based modelling as well as 3D-scanning offers a variety of promising applications to enhance our understanding of cultural heritage. Based on highly accurate and detailed 3D-models of cultural monuments, both the public as well as fellow researchers do not only have the possibility to visually explore cultural heritage independent of their location but are even able to interact with various data sets using immersive technology such as Virtual and Augmented Reality. The major advantage for institutions dealing with knowledge transfer, such as museums, is that individual objects, that were removed from their spatial context, can be virtually placed within their original setting, thus enabling the visitor a more comprehensive insight of the objects background. Furthermore, interactive real-time environments can be enriched with additional content such as textual information or scientific reconstructions, such as past landscapes .
A team of researchers of the DE:HIVE Institute at the University of Applied Sciences Berlin, has been using 3D technology for the spatial contextualization of cultural monuments and applying various methods for an immersive interaction with complex 3D-data. In the current case study, the cupola of the Torres de las Damas of the Palacio del Partal on the Alhambra, which was brought to the Museum for Islamic Arts Berlin in the beginning of the 20th century, has been documented using a 3D data-fused based approach. In addition, the tower room, where the cupola originated from, was recorded as well with the same methodology resulting in a 3D-model with sub-millimetric resolution. Through the use of VR as well as AR technology these highly accurate and detailed data sets enable laymen as well as researches to interactively experience the contextualized architecture for the first time since their original separation.

Relevance for the conference: The paper showcases the advantages when using 3D technology for the spatial contextualization of cultural monuments and discusses the challenges when applying various methods for an immersive interaction with complex 3D-data.
Relevance for the session: The paper discusses the benefits for museums of virtually contextualizing individual objects, which have been removed from their original surrounding, to enable visitors a more comprehensive insight of the objects background.
Innovation: The innovative character of this papers is the emphasis on utilizing extremely high resolution data for capturing architecture and combining the models within an interactive 3D-environment, enabling a truly immersive experience for the viewer.
References:
• Thomopoulos S.C.A. et al. (2016) DICE: Digital Immersive Cultural Environment. In: Ioannides M. et al. (eds) Digital Heritage. Progress in Cultural Heritage: Documentation, Preservation, and Protection. EuroMed 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10058. Springer, Cham.
• Goren A. et al. (2016) Interacting with Simulated Archaeological Assets. In: Ioannides M. et al. (eds) Digital Heritage. Progress in Cultural Heritage: Documentation, Preservation, and Protection. EuroMed 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10058. Springer, Cham.