Past, Present and Future: Using Digital Technologies to Support Conservation

The use of emerging technologies conventionally applied to design and engineering industries are now increasingly used for object-based conservation and location-based heritage projects. These new technologies are changing the landscape of possibilities and its applications, as well as the expectations of the public and heritage groups. This paper outlines several scenarios concerned with technologies for object-based conservation, including 3D scanning, reverse engineering, Additive Manufacture, image modelling and other visualisation methods for scenarios such as object repair and reconstruction. Taking a step further, the paper suggests that emerging technologies have the potential to be applied for location-based heritage projects such as story-telling, time-capsules, and public engagement. Case-studies are also discussed, including the use of 3D image capture methods for Bukit Brown cemetery in Singapore. Finally, the paper examines the benefits and pitfalls of these technologies and speculates on future developments.

This presentation took place as part of the Digital Building Heritage Conference held at De Montfort University on 25 May 2012.