Methodology for the digital documentation of modern architecture: Applied research on Álvaro Siza’s works for the world heritage list

Abstract

Digital Revolution is strongly impacting the safeguarding and enhancement of Cultural Heritage through the techniques and tools available for its documentation and communication. Specifically, modern heritage is a potentially fertile laboratory of work in this field because of the availability of the documental, physical, and oral sources required for its critical study and interpretation. This article aims to present an integrated methodology supported by combined techniques for the comprehensive digital documentation of modern architecture implemented on 18 buildings of Álvaro Siza included in the World Heritage Tentative List since 2017 supported on combined techniques: i) photogrammetry; ii) virtual tours through 360º photos; iii) didactic models in BIM iv) other digital tools, such as virtual reality. This holistic and integrated multi-methods approach provides better documentation and communication of the attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), as well as of Alvaro Siza’s design principles as a guiding framework for the future management of change.