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Project

Virtual Reconstruction of Nottingham Castle: Digital Archive for Sustainable Management and Planning in Heritage Buildings with Community Access

Unit(s) of assessment: Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Research theme: Global Heritage

School: School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

Overview

Nottingham Castle perched above the plane on the sandstone outcrop is a site comprising of Scheduled Monument containing a number of listed components of which the Ducal Palace at Grade 1 is the largest structure. The Palace was a seat of revolution yet has like many structures in our built environment undergone quiet evolution. The Castle is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and development to enable future sustainable use. However, much of the building history, layered structures of different ages, medieval and 19th century additions, have neither been recorded, analysed nor digitally reconstructed.

Addressing the Challenge

The Virtual Reconstruction of Nottingham Castle Project aims to develop a virtual resource charting the building historic evolution using archival material, records and laser scanning surveys of the building and its structure to enable accurate digital models of the building history.

It will provide novel state-of-the-art interactive platform for digital and virtual heritage platforms that advance the role of virtual museums in the future. Our research team will introduce and develop a research-led digital open resource to use in interpretation and education.

People

This project is led by Smart Preservation of Architecture and Urban Heritage team at Nottingham Trent University in partnership with the Nottingham Castle Trust and Nottingham City Council among others. This includes Project lead Antony Pidduck, and researchers Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem and Chris Keast.

Making a Difference

The outcome of this project and its digital model will support the future studies, records and management of heritage assets designing a novel methodology for structuring information through digital modelling and virtual heritage platforms. This information repository will provide organised access for the stakeholders throughout the building lifetime and support community participation and public engagement.

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