Impact of Industry 4.0 in Architecture and Cultural Heritage

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is recognized as the central mean in the digitalization process of the construction sector affecting both the technological and the organizational levels. The use of information models can empower communication capabilities thus addressing one of the main development directions of industry 4.0. However, several issues can be highlighted in the representation of objects through information models especially in the case of existing and/or historical buildings. This chapter proposes an extensive analysis of the use of BIM for existing assets exploring the recent development in the area of machine learning and in the use of ontologies to overcome the existing issues. It will provide a structured presentation of existing works and of perspectives in the use of ontologies, expert systems, and machine learning application in architecture and cultural heritage focusing on communication and data use in digital environments along the industry 4.0 paradigm.

Documentation, Processing, and Representation of Architectural Heritage Through 3D Semantic Modelling

Documentation, data processing, and representation of Architectural Heritage through digital models are one of the main challenges in the field of conservation, preservation, management, and inclusive use and understanding of European heritage assets. In this framework, the impact of Industry 4.0 is more and more crucial, since new technologies, devices, and digital environment are strongly influencing the ways in which heritage contents are explored, used, managed, and shared, also in citizens' everyday life. In this direction, the INCEPTION project – founded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 programme – develops key-targeted innovations in efficient 3D digitization methods, post-processing modelling tools, semantic web-based solutions, and applications to ensure a wide and aware access to digital Cultural Heritage. This chapter presents main actions achieved by INCEPTION.

Integrated Digital Models for the Representation and Diagnosis in Existing Buildings

With reference to the fourth Industrial Revolution - the knowledge economy (Rooney, 2005) - the generation of integrated digital models represents one of the most important drivers to generate tangible and intangible added value, helping to incorporate part of the knowledge into production processes. However, in addition to the process of sharing and implementing digital data, the creation of digital models is extremely complex and expensive if it does not involve the set of requirements and needs in the early phase of the project, according to an inclusive and collaborative approach (Carraher et. al. 2017). In this framework, the “Clust-ER BUILD” project aims to achieve integrated Building Information Modelling models and Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) solutions to support innovation, industrial research, and the updating of competencies for intervention projects on existing buildings and cultural heritage.

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) for Built Heritage Enhancement

The latest developments in the field of generative modeling and building information modeling for heritage building (HBIM) have allowed the authors to increase the level of transmissibility of information through the most modern techniques of virtual and augmented reality (VR-AR). This chapter summarises the last years of applied research in the field of three-dimensional modeling oriented to digitise and correctly represent the built heritage thanks to the integration of the most modern three-dimensional survey techniques with a scan-to-BIM process based on new grades of generation (GOG) and accuracy (GOA). The new paradigm of the complexity of the built heritage, its tangible and intangible values, have been shared through new immersive ways able to increase the information contents and the knowledge accumulated in the last years of one of the most representative and unique buildings of the Lombard architecture: the Cà Granda in Milan.

Industry 4.0 in Cultural Industry

This chapter enlightens how Industry 4.0 is gradually implemented in Cultural Industry. Even though Industry 4.0 started from manufacturing, it soon expanded to less technologically consuming industries, such as the Cultural, creating new opportunities especially in the field of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies. Taking into account existing research on Industry 4.0 and its main technologies and existing research and projects on Cultural Heritage's aspects related with the 4th Industrial Revolution, the chapter investigates how Industry 4.0 is implemented into Cultural Sector from a technological point of view, but moreover to investigate its potential role.

The Integrated Project for the Redevelopment of a Historic Building

In a scenario influenced by innovation and new technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) that have projected us towards industry 4.0, the digital revolution has involved the construction sector and the entire building process. This research activity aims to deepen the tools at the base of the design and management processes to an effective development and respect for the environment. The text will illustrate the example of redevelopment of an existing building in response to new market needs and in line with the circular economy vision. The redevelopment foresees the integrated development of the architectural building project and the management of the building during his entire life cycle. The innovation authors intend to achieve aims to combine building automation with the quality of life through management techniques that exploit the best use of space and control of the eco-system of the building and the services provided.

Semantics and Architecture

In the field of cultural heritage, a significant amount of research has been conducted to allow domain experts to represent semantic data while keeping spatial references. The organization of architectural shapes in significant concepts, in the context of semantic annotation, is carried out in various ways. This chapter analyzes them, highlighting some substantial questions: the semantic ambiguity and the uncertainty. These questions are addressed after a careful reflection on the theoretical basis for a semantic reading of architecture. The chapter proposes some operative solutions: the use of an international thesaurus to resolve linguistic ambiguity; the coding of semantic maps to solve the annotation uncertainty.

A Virtual Museum of Pompeii “ex Votos”

Safeguarding cultural heritage—preserving it from the neglect of time and abandonment—is not in itself enough that the patrimony truly constitutes a part of that slow process of identity which in its inner essence of heritage, that of inheritance, cultural heritage is called upon to participate. For this to happen, it is necessary that heritage is “accessible” in the sense that Jeremy Rifkin has attributed to this term—proposed as a “possible experience” in everyday lives. Thus, new digital technologies not only make it possible to build virtually unlimited “memory archives”, but also to access systems, with a dynamic and interactive consultation so that a new generation of ‘prosumers' (producers/consumers) of the cultural heritage can give new meaning to it. This chapter investigates the potential and meaning of these new “memory archives” through the case study of the archive of the Ex Voto of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii and of the 'stories' that it treasures.

Advanced Digital Processes for the Survey

This chapter presents a process for the study of an architectural and archaeological heritage. It is an interdisciplinary work carried on with the integration of different digital systems for surveying and managing data. An innovative methodological approach is presented, based on the HBIM for 3D digital management of data, related to the analysis of masonry techniques, of conservation and damage, paying particular attention to the masonries 3D stratigraphic study. A specific focus is on the use of HBIM to design the restoration yard. The case study is the church of San Cipriano, located near the small country of Castelvecchio Calvisio in the province of L'Aquila (Italy).

Virtual Baroque

In recent years, in addition to the consolidated interest of the scientific community towards 3D digital surveying methods for the documentation of cultural heritage, the need to virtually use it is rising, to promote and enhance its value. This chapter focuses on the use of new technologies aimed at the documentation and communication of Knowledge, with the objective of involving the community through a participatory and immersive approach. Technologies, visualization, and fruition are, therefore, the key terms of the work in progress conducted by a team from the University of Catania and aimed at the documentation, safeguard, and communication of the ecclesiastical architectural heritage of Acireale, built after the earthquake of 1693.