3D Digitization of cultural monuments of technology as a source of technology history

The Institute of History of KIT and the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments Baden-Württemberg in Esslingen are working as project partners within the framework of the eHeritage funding program of the BMBF to process cultural monuments of technology into virtual 3D models using methods of SfM digitization. The project is being implemented by Erika Érsek, M.A.

Objective

A collection of 3D digitised (mechanical) engineering installations of monument value is being built up. The results of the digitization are photo-realistic 3D spaces as well as volume models to illustrate the functional processes. The digitised material and model animations are to be linked to further information on an open-access ePlatform and made freely accessible for research, teaching and the public.

Purpose

The collection makes new study objects available to research. Inaccessible facilities and areas can be viewed, inspections can be prepared and followed up. In this way, location-independent studies are possible on a national and international level. An expansion of the collection of plants beyond Baden-Württemberg should facilitate comparative studies. For the protection of historical monuments, the 3D digitised material offers a new way of inventorying technical cultural monuments, and the collection can also raise public awareness of technical cultural assets.

Example object

As an example object, the lower waterworks of the Schwetzingen castle from the 18th century was first scanned - a cultural monument of particular importance.
The Lower Waterworks (built between 1762 and 1765) used to supply the watercourses and water features of the palace garden in addition to the Upper Waterworks. Both plants were built by Nicolas de Pigage, the garden director of the Electoral Palatinate at that time. The irrigation technology of the Versailles castle garden served as a model. The waterworks are currently being renovated and will then be opened to visitors.

At viewer below, point cloud of pump-room is shown as 3D-model. The view can be rotated and enlarged. About the instructions and the requirements for viewing and operating