Baltit Fort developed over various phases with the earliest dating back around 800 years. After falling into disrepair in the second half of the 20th century, Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has carried out conservation works since. Structural improvements followed in 2001 based on digital documentation of the Fort. They included removing surplus material, re-distributing the load, improving structural alignments and replacing of load-bearing beams where needed.

3D laser scanning combined with photogrammetry executed by drone provided the base for the structural analysis and for the complete 4D modelling of the building, including orthorectified elevation drawings and internal volumentries of the building.

Location
Baltit Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Size
1,000 m2 built-up area

Year
2018-2020

Status
Completed

Scope
Digital Documentation & Restoration

Collaboration
with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand

Bhati Gate is one of the historic entrances into the Walled City of Lahore and located at the Western wall of the old city. The buildings in the vicinity of the gate reflect the cultural diversity. Despite a dynamic and tumultuous past spanning several centuries, this area has retained much of its historic urban form.

The Government of the Punjab together with the World Bank initiated “The Walled City of Lahore” project in 2006. The Historic Cities Programme (HCP) provided strategic planning services including urban rehabilitation support. 3D lascer scanning and orthophotos established the base of the digital documentation which resulted in architectural facade drawings and 3D models for facade impovement proposals.

Location
Lahore, Punjab Pakistan

Size
length 500 meters

Year
2017-2018

Status
Completed

Scope
Digital Documentation & Restoration

Collaboration
with Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Lahore Fort dates back to 17th century and was built on even older fortifications. The citadel at the Northern end of the Walled City represents an outstanding repertoire of Mughal architecture which UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site.

For the first time in Pakistan, 3D laser scanning and photographic documentation supported restoration works on heritage buildings and urban fabrics. The digital technology not only revealed hidden elements but also provided a crucial tool to assess conservation strategies for Alamgiri Gate, Roayal Kitchens and the Pictured Wall.

Location
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Size
20 hectares

Year
2017-2020

Status
Completed

Scope
Digital Documentation & Restoration

Collaboration
with Aga Khan Trust for Culture and
Walled City of Lahore Authority

1000-year-old petroglyphs indicate diverse visual symbolism, languages, and writing systems. The rock art testifies significant cross-cultural exchanges and intertwined networks of migration and trade in the Western Himalayas which belonged to the Old Silk Road.

Photogrammetry has been employed to create a rich, composite 3D image of each petroglyph. The technique uses multiple photos from various angles and merges them via software to a spatial composition. Additional 3D scanning enhanced the topographic and surface information which could not be captured by 2D photos. Drone images not only provided contextual imagery but also GPS data to map out each area in precise detail. All compiled recreates the sites as virtual reality ready for publication and tourism.

Location
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Size
n.a.

Year
2018-2020

Status
Ongoing

Scope
Digital Documentation

Collaboration
with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)

The Curch of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as I Gesuiti, dates back to 1148 and follows a typical Jesuit layout of a Latin cross with smaller chapels in the longest wing. The interior presents elaborate stucco work and a rich collection of fine frescos dating back to the 16th, 17th and 18th century.

As part of the preservation works, the entire interior has been digitally documented. Photogrammetry served as a base for cataloging restauration works and was combined with 3D laserscanning to develop a virtual interior of the church that offer new possibilities in the field of tourism and scientific research.

Location
Venice, Italy

Size
1,800 m2 built-up area

Year
2021

Status
Ongoing

Scope
Digital Documentation / Computerized Restoration / Virtual Tours

Collaboration
with Lithos

The building of the confraternity, a group of wealthy Venetian citizens, was completed in 1560. The architecture comprises primerily of two large halls, one on the ground floor and one on the upper floor. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is noted for its collections of paintings by Tintoretto and other fine works. With the support of the World Monuments Fund, many of the artworks were restored recently.

In a combination of 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry and orthophotography, a virtual museum experience of the site has been created that include digital exhibition curations, interactive story telling and VR experiences.

Location
Venice, Italy

Size
3,650 m2 built-up area

Year
2020-2021

Status
Ongoing

Scope
Digital Documentation & Virtual Museum Curations

Collaboration