The future of heritage documentation?
In the DOCOMOMO International action plan (2026-2029), digitization is formulated as an important area for exploration and development. One of the ambitions is to look further into the possibilities of 3D – in many different ways – as a means to accomplish the goals of DOCOMOMO International regarding DOcumentation and COnservation of buildings and sites of the MOdern MOvement.
Researchers of Delft University of Technology are working on a web-based platform (www.docomomo3d.com) that aims to bring modern architectural heritage into the digital realm through interactive, accessible, and immersive 3D visualization. Targeting a wide audience—including the general public, tourists, students, and experts—the platform aims to provide multiple entry points to explore modern heritage sites across different levels of depth and engagement.
The platform will integrate:
- 2D archival materials (photos, drawings, video, etc.);
- Interactive 3D models of three types: point clouds, Gaussian Splatting, and HBIM, to meet the diverse needs of different user groups;
- Web-based VR experiences, and
- User participation tools that allow visitors to contribute content or request 3D representation based on uploaded images or videos.
Our goal is to create a shared space for documenting, exploring, and discussing the values of modern architecture using digital tools. By lowering the technical threshold, we hope to foster broader public engagement and encourage collaborative knowledge building by combining academia with citizen science.
This initiative is currently in development, supported by academic partners and student contributors, and we are actively seeking further collaborations.
Involved TU Delft researchers
Zhuoyue Wang, MSc student
