DIGITAL SURVEY &
DOCUMENTATION
OF A MEDIEVAL
CHURCH
THE ART OF
DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION
In the heart of Tyrol’s picturesque Pitztal Valley stands a historic church, whose origins trace back to a dedication document from 1358. This centuries-old structure, rich in architectural details and adorned with cultural relics, was recently the subject of a comprehensive digital documentation project. Commissioned to establish an accurate and non-intrusive record of the church’s interior and exterior, our team approached the project with utmost care, utilizing advanced terrestrial LiDAR scanning and imaging technologies to ensure a faithful, high-resolution capture of every detail.
The aim of this project was twofold: first, to assess the current condition of the church for preservation planning, and second, to create a digital foundation that could support future renovation and conservation efforts.
Working contact-free, our team conducted a thorough survey that extended from the church’s exterior facade to its intricate interior spaces, capturing every architectural element, artwork, and artifact with meticulous precision.
Through the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for historical sites, our process didn’t stop at simple data acquisition. The collected data points from our LiDAR scans and high-resolution images were processed into georeferenced datasets, which served as the foundation for creating detailed 3D models and Building Information Models at precision levels of LOD200 and LOD300. These digital models now offer a reliable resource for conservators, architects, and historians as they plan interventions to safeguard the structure’s integrity.
DIGITAL
DEFECT
CHECKS
For historical buildings, regular inspection and structural assessments are essential to preserving the authenticity of the original construction. Thanks to the precise digital representation we created, stakeholders can now carry out virtual inspections and defect checks, observing details such as wall integrity, roof alignment, and potential points of wear or damage without needing to revisit the site physically. This digital “twin” of the church enables conservation teams to efficiently monitor the structure’s health over time and prepare for preventative actions as needed.
CAPTURING ART IN DETAIL:
THE FRESCOES & PAINTINGS
Inside the church, the walls and ceilings hold paintings and frescoes that are both historically significant and fragile. Using specialized imaging methods, we documented these artworks in their original context. The process involved meticulously unwrapping the painted surfaces and reprojecting them onto the 3D models, ensuring that every brushstroke and pigment detail was preserved with mathematical accuracy.
This approach corrects distortions that can arise from curved or uneven surfaces, resulting in high-fidelity, two-dimensional images that accurately represent each artwork. These digital reproductions serve as invaluable resources for scholars and conservators alike, who can now study, analyze, and preserve the original artistry without risking damage to the actual paintings.
BIM: A TOOL FOR HERITAGE SITES
By integrating the point clouds from our scans into a digital model, we created a series of triangulated polygon meshes. These meshes serve as a visual representation on our online platform, where conservation teams can interact with the digital model. The BIM framework extends further, enabling architects and planners to derive detailed construction documents and renovation plans directly from the digital twin. Ranging in detail from LOD200 to LOD300, these BIM models form a robust basis for restorations, ensuring that every unique characteristic of the church—from structural elements to aesthetic details—is faithfully retained in the conservation process.
EMBRACE DIGITAL PRECISION TO SAFEGUARD CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
BEYOND DOCUMENTATION:
BUILDING A BRIDGE FROM PAST TO FUTURE
This digital archive of the Tyrolean church is not only a technological achievement but also a powerful tool for cultural heritage preservation. By combining BIM with high-resolution visualizations and contact-free data capture, the project enables a modern approach to safeguarding history.
The resulting digital twin offers a comprehensive “blueprint” of the past, granting future generations access to a precise, virtual record of this historical treasure. Through projects like this, we aim to empower preservationists, educate the public, and ensure that the architectural and artistic legacy of our heritage sites endures for centuries to come.
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6020 Innsbruck, AUSTRIA