Digital Museum of Chinese Architectural Heritage

Introduction

The Digital Museum of Chinese Architectural Heritage is a pioneering project aimed at preserving, studying, and showcasing historical architecture using advanced digital technologies. Conceived and led as part of an undergraduate initiative in Civil Engineering at Sichuan Agricultural University, this project reflects a commitment to the integration of technology, culture, and education. Inspired by field studies conducted at the Bao’en Temple in Mianyang, Sichuan, the project seeks to provide an interactive, accessible, and immersive platform for students, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts to explore architectural heritage.

Project Background

China is home to a rich tapestry of architectural traditions, ranging from imperial palaces to religious temples, vernacular dwellings, and ancient bridges. Many of these structures face challenges such as environmental degradation, urbanization, and insufficient documentation, which threaten their long-term preservation.

Traditional conservation methods, while effective in some cases, are often resource-intensive and limited in accessibility. Recognizing these challenges, our team aimed to create a digital platform that could both document architectural details at high fidelity and engage audiences in an educational and interactive manner.

This initiative was particularly motivated by Bao’en Temple, a historical site renowned for its intricate timber structures, traditional joinery, and cultural significance. During our on-site field study, we conducted architectural measurements, photographic documentation, and material analysis, laying the groundwork for subsequent digital modeling and museum design.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Digital Museum project were:

  1. Preservation – To digitally capture architectural details that are at risk of deterioration or loss.
  2. Education – To create an interactive platform that supports learning about traditional Chinese architecture and cultural heritage.
  3. Innovation – To explore advanced digital modeling techniques such as 3D photogrammetry and Gaussian splatting for high-fidelity reconstruction.
  4. Collaboration – To bring together a 12-person interdisciplinary team, combining skills in civil engineering, computer science, digital media, and cultural studies.

By achieving these objectives, the project aimed to provide a replicable framework for digital heritage projects, demonstrating how technology can enhance architectural conservation, education, and public engagement.

Design and Conceptualization

The museum was conceptualized as a digital twin of the Bao’en Temple and its surrounding architectural context. The design approach focused on:

  • Accuracy: Every architectural element, from roof timbers to carved panels, was measured and documented.
  • Interactivity: Visitors could navigate virtual spaces, zoom into details, and access contextual information about historical significance, construction methods, and cultural symbolism.
  • Storytelling: The museum experience was structured around narrative pathways, guiding visitors through architectural features, historical context, and conservation challenges.

A central design principle was to balance technical precision with user engagement. While the 3D models required engineering rigor, the platform also needed to be accessible to non-specialists, including students and cultural enthusiasts.

Technical Implementation

1. Data Collection

Fieldwork was the first critical stage. The team conducted on-site surveys using:

  • High-resolution photography
  • Laser scanning and photogrammetry
  • Architectural drawings and measurements

Data were meticulously cataloged, including material types, structural connections, decorative elements, and spatial layouts.

2. 3D Modeling

The collected data were processed using state-of-the-art digital tools:

  • 3D Gaussian Splatting: Enabled the creation of high-fidelity point cloud models that capture intricate details of timber carvings, roof structures, and ornamental elements.
  • T-Arch & AutoCAD: Assisted in modeling structural components and verifying dimensional accuracy.
  • Texture Mapping & Rendering: Applied realistic textures derived from field photographs to enhance visual authenticity.

This approach allowed us to reconstruct architectural elements that were difficult to access physically, such as elevated roof structures or fragile carvings.

Team Collaboration

The project was inherently interdisciplinary, requiring coordination among civil engineers, digital designers, and media producers. Key aspects of team collaboration included:

  • Project Management: Scheduling tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring deliverables were completed on time.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Team members conducted workshops to familiarize each other with digital tools and architectural concepts.
  • Creative Problem-Solving: Challenges such as data gaps, model optimization, and rendering performance were resolved collectively.

Leadership involved balancing technical guidance with creative freedom, allowing team members to contribute expertise while aligning with project goals.

Challenges

Several challenges arose during the project:

  1. Data Completeness: Some areas of the temple were inaccessible due to structural fragility, requiring creative solutions such as photogrammetric extrapolation.
  2. High-Fidelity Modeling: Capturing fine details while maintaining manageable file sizes required careful optimization.
  3. User Experience: Designing an interface that was both technically precise and intuitive was an ongoing iteration.
  4. Interdisciplinary Communication: Aligning civil engineering accuracy with media production aesthetics required constant coordination.

Overcoming these challenges strengthened both technical skills and project management abilities.

Outcomes

The Digital Museum project produced:

  • Comprehensive 3D models of Bao’en Temple and selected architectural artifacts.
  • Interactive web platform showcasing architectural heritage in an immersive manner.
  • Educational content suitable for students, researchers, and the general public.
  • Framework for future projects, providing guidelines for digital heritage documentation and interactive museum development.

The project received recognition within the university and served as a demonstration of how technology can bridge culture, education, and engineering.

Reflection and Future Directions

This project highlighted the potential of digital technology to make architectural heritage accessible and engaging. Key lessons included:

  • Importance of interdisciplinary teamwork: Success depended on integrating multiple skill sets.
  • Value of fieldwork: Direct observation and documentation remain essential, even in digital environments.
  • Potential for scalability: The framework can be adapted to other heritage sites, supporting conservation and education at a larger scale.

Future directions may include:

  • Augmented Reality (AR) integration for immersive museum experiences.
  • Expanded content covering additional historical sites in Sichuan and beyond.
  • Multilingual support to reach a global audience.

Conclusion

The Digital Museum of Chinese Architectural Heritage represents a successful integration of civil engineering, digital design, and cultural storytelling. By combining technical precision, creative presentation, and educational goals, the project demonstrates how digital platforms can preserve, study, and share cultural heritage.

Visitors to the museum can explore architectural spaces, learn about historical context, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of traditional Chinese structures, all from a digital interface.

This project not only reflects personal and academic growth but also provides a foundation for future endeavors in digital heritage, architectural conservation, and educational technology.