Title

Author(s)

Tommaso Empler, Elena D’Angelo, Mario Ambrogi

Affiliation

Sapienza University of Rome

Sapienza University of Rome

Open Building – Contec Group

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/GSJO9052

Keywords

HBIM, Photogrammetry, Digitalization

PP

336-343

How to Cite

Empler, Tommaso, Elena D’Angelo, Mario Ambrogi. “Exploring Photogrammetry-Based Information Models within hBIM Contexts.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 336–343. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

BIM technologies and processes have finally become the state-of-the-art standard in digital design and are now widely adopted across the AEC industry worldwide. However, things become significantly more complex when shifting the focus from contemporary architecture to existing buildings—particularly historical or archaeological sites. In these contexts, we completely lack dedicated platforms, specific parametric tools, and even shared information standards. More importantly, we often stop acting like digital experts and start feeling like kids again, spending an overwhelming amount of time and effort manually retracing HBIM models from raw point clouds or photogrammetric data. But what if the building is already there—and so is its digital counterpart, right in front of our eyes? Why can’t we simply use the survey model as-is and enrich it with information? When we get rid of our geeky parametric obsessions, survey scans reveal themselves as far more powerful and flexible than our tedious and outdated retracing routines. In a broader “BIMification” perspective, any geometric source becomes valuable—even non-parametric and unconventional ones such as planar shapes, textured meshes, NeRFs, or raw point clouds. The key lies in finding new ways to embed data and communicate these hybrid results. We ended up developing an experimental workflow combining photogrammetry, genAI, mesh-processing tools, BIM and visualisation platforms to create and interact with the Digital Twin of cultural artefacts. The resulting process turned out to be so distinct from traditional BIM or even HBIM workflows that we decided to call it PBIM in its own right: a new digital paradigm for managing historical and archaeological contexts through hybrid, Photogrammetry-Based Information Models. This innovative approach offers substantial benefits for both surface decay monitoring and conservation activities and led us to develop a cutting-edge AR visualization platform—paving the way for a truly immersive, inclusive, and information-rich cultural experience for visitors.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.