An Integrated Workflow for Enriched 3D (e3D) Models to Support Conservation Practices in Cultural Heritage: The ChemiNova Project

Abstract

The project ChemiNova, funded by the Horizon Europe program, is dedicated to the development of an integrated suite of five software modules to enhance the conservation, analysis, and monitoring of cultural heritage assets. Using non-invasive data acquisition technologies, we propose a workflow that spatially integrates heterogeneous datasets to generate enriched 3D (e3D) models. These models combine geometric information with multiple co-registered data layers and can be accessed and visualized through three purpose-built interactive applications: ChemiAnalysis (desktop-based analysis), ChemiInspection (augmented reality-based on-site inspection), and ChemiSensing (a collaborative virtual environment). The suite is completed by ChemiPortal, a shared data management gateway, and ChemiAI, an automated damage prediction module, which operate as back-end components supporting the three interactive applications. This paper presents the current workflow together with the underlying database architecture that supports the storage, linkage, and retrieval of complex multimodal data. The methodology is demonstrated on selected cultural heritage elements within La Nau, the Cultural Center of the University of Valencia and one of ChemiNova’s pilot sites. The interdisciplinary collaboration involved in designing and assessing the workflow is also discussed.