Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe

Highlights: • The article describes the concept of a Scientific Reference Model (SRM) and its specific workflow and guidelines exemplified for a hypothetical 3D reconstruction of architectural cultural heritage. • The article gives new insights and questions concerning the former synagogue in Ash...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jan Lutteroth, Piotr Kuroczyński, Igor Piotr Bajena
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitat Politècnica de València 2025-01-01
Series:Virtual Archaeology Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/22542
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832576055839293440
author Jan Lutteroth
Piotr Kuroczyński
Igor Piotr Bajena
author_facet Jan Lutteroth
Piotr Kuroczyński
Igor Piotr Bajena
author_sort Jan Lutteroth
collection DOAJ
description Highlights: • The article describes the concept of a Scientific Reference Model (SRM) and its specific workflow and guidelines exemplified for a hypothetical 3D reconstruction of architectural cultural heritage. • The article gives new insights and questions concerning the former synagogue in Ashmyany (Belarus) as a Case Study for testing the SRM concept. • The article gives an insight into the market for infrastructures for publication and preservation of 3D models of cultural heritage using the example of the presented case study. Abstract: This article examines the application of the Scientific Reference Model (SRM) concept in hypothetical three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of architectural heritage, focusing on the synagogue in Ashmyany, Belarus. The SRM approach, tested in courses at the Hochschule Mainz, allows for transparent documentation of digital reconstructions to support further scholarly research and community engagement. Using historical source material, the 3D model of the synagogue in Ashmyany, serves as a case study for testing this methodology. The reconstruction process highlights the complexity of preserving Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe, where shifting political borders and a lack of comprehensive documentation complicate efforts. The synagogue’s architecture, including significant elements such as the Bima and Torah ark, was modelled using Building Information Modelling (BIM)-compliant software. However, certain elements had to be approximated due to limited historical sources, illustrating the challenge of reconstructing lost heritage with accuracy. The integration of historical photographs and surveys into the modelling phase not only enriched the digital reconstruction but also led to further questions about the building’s history and modifications over time. In addition to creating 3D models, the SRM emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation, following the FAIR principles to ensure that reconstructions are traceable and reusable for future research. Platforms like the CoVHer Repository facilitate the publication and accessibility of these models, alongside their metadata and source documentation. The Ashmyany synagogue case study demonstrates how 3D reconstructions can help visualize lost architectural heritage, offering new insights into its historical context and emphasizing the need for continued research on open repositories and digital preservation efforts. This approach showcases the potential of HBIM-modelling to contribute to the study and preservation of Jewish architectural heritage, while underscoring the ongoing need for community engagement and scholarly collaboration.
format Article
id doaj-art-7ca10f820b26454b9529b0a3a4bec3df
institution Kabale University
issn 1989-9947
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Universitat Politècnica de València
record_format Article
series Virtual Archaeology Review
spelling doaj-art-7ca10f820b26454b9529b0a3a4bec3df2025-01-31T12:30:34ZengUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaVirtual Archaeology Review1989-99472025-01-01163214416010.4995/var.2024.2254221732Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central EuropeJan Lutteroth0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4554-0874Piotr Kuroczyński1Igor Piotr Bajena2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0419-9171University of Applied Sciences MainzUniversity of Applied Sciences MainzUniversity of Applied Sciences MainzHighlights: • The article describes the concept of a Scientific Reference Model (SRM) and its specific workflow and guidelines exemplified for a hypothetical 3D reconstruction of architectural cultural heritage. • The article gives new insights and questions concerning the former synagogue in Ashmyany (Belarus) as a Case Study for testing the SRM concept. • The article gives an insight into the market for infrastructures for publication and preservation of 3D models of cultural heritage using the example of the presented case study. Abstract: This article examines the application of the Scientific Reference Model (SRM) concept in hypothetical three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of architectural heritage, focusing on the synagogue in Ashmyany, Belarus. The SRM approach, tested in courses at the Hochschule Mainz, allows for transparent documentation of digital reconstructions to support further scholarly research and community engagement. Using historical source material, the 3D model of the synagogue in Ashmyany, serves as a case study for testing this methodology. The reconstruction process highlights the complexity of preserving Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe, where shifting political borders and a lack of comprehensive documentation complicate efforts. The synagogue’s architecture, including significant elements such as the Bima and Torah ark, was modelled using Building Information Modelling (BIM)-compliant software. However, certain elements had to be approximated due to limited historical sources, illustrating the challenge of reconstructing lost heritage with accuracy. The integration of historical photographs and surveys into the modelling phase not only enriched the digital reconstruction but also led to further questions about the building’s history and modifications over time. In addition to creating 3D models, the SRM emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation, following the FAIR principles to ensure that reconstructions are traceable and reusable for future research. Platforms like the CoVHer Repository facilitate the publication and accessibility of these models, alongside their metadata and source documentation. The Ashmyany synagogue case study demonstrates how 3D reconstructions can help visualize lost architectural heritage, offering new insights into its historical context and emphasizing the need for continued research on open repositories and digital preservation efforts. This approach showcases the potential of HBIM-modelling to contribute to the study and preservation of Jewish architectural heritage, while underscoring the ongoing need for community engagement and scholarly collaboration.https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/22542source-based hypothetical 3d reconstructionheritage building information modelling (hbim)augmented reality (ar) postcardscultural heritagedocumentationdata preservation
spellingShingle Jan Lutteroth
Piotr Kuroczyński
Igor Piotr Bajena
Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
Virtual Archaeology Review
source-based hypothetical 3d reconstruction
heritage building information modelling (hbim)
augmented reality (ar) postcards
cultural heritage
documentation
data preservation
title Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
title_full Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
title_fullStr Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
title_full_unstemmed Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
title_short Digital 3D reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on Jewish architectural heritage in East Central Europe
title_sort digital 3d reconstructions of synagogues for an innovative approach on jewish architectural heritage in east central europe
topic source-based hypothetical 3d reconstruction
heritage building information modelling (hbim)
augmented reality (ar) postcards
cultural heritage
documentation
data preservation
url https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/22542
work_keys_str_mv AT janlutteroth digital3dreconstructionsofsynagoguesforaninnovativeapproachonjewisharchitecturalheritageineastcentraleurope
AT piotrkuroczynski digital3dreconstructionsofsynagoguesforaninnovativeapproachonjewisharchitecturalheritageineastcentraleurope
AT igorpiotrbajena digital3dreconstructionsofsynagoguesforaninnovativeapproachonjewisharchitecturalheritageineastcentraleurope