1 Introduction

This paper tries to make a synthesis of the different lessons learnt, related both to the positive and critical aspects concerning Historic BIM (HBIM) feasibility, sustainability and usefulness, and to the challenges of using HBIM for restoration and preservation activities. The theoretical and practical approach adopted, overcame the current BIM logic, based on sequential Level of Detail (LoD) that is typical of new buildings from simplex to complex (Volk et al. 2014; AEC (CAN) BIM Protocol; American Institute of Architects 2013), from the preliminary to the executive design (Nuovo Codice Appalti 2017). This choice was made in favour of the maximum precision and articulated description and representation of each component of the existing building, in order to derive the conservation project. The challenge was to obtain a cost-effective HBIM able to embody the complexity of each element of an existing historically important building (i.e. walls, pillars, vaults, beams, timbers). A Non-Uniform Rational Basis-Splines (NURBS) based parametric generative modelling process is here proposed in order to get sustainable rich modelling, able to match the related information, moving HBIM towards the actors. On the lesson learnt from this experience and many others, the process of updating the current codification criteria (UNI11337-2017) started with a draft proposal, stimulating a debate for the future of HBIM adoption.

2 The Main Case Study: The Basilica of Collemaggio in L’Aquila

The Basilica of Collemaggio was significantly damaged by the earthquake of Richter Magnitude 5.9 that had struck the town of L’Aquila (Central Italy) on 6 April 2009: the dome, the transept and triumphal arches collapsed with their pillars, and great damage occurred to the apses, to the pillars of the arched walls of the nave, and to the longitudinal north front with the ‘Holy Door’. The Basilica is a Romanesque masterpiece characterized by a dense, fascinating history and different construction phases, which began in 1270 (Bartolomucci 2004). An important event called ‘Festa della Perdonanza’ is celebrated every year on 28 and 29 August, with the procession ceremony transferring the original Papal bull established by Pope Celestino V from the Municipality to the Holy Door of the Basilica. The result is an extraordinary, unique mix of tangible and intangible community values to be preserved and transferred to the future generations. Thus, the restoration project ‘Ripartire da Collemaggio’ (Restarting from Collemaggio) has been undertaken by ENIservizi with the aim of giving new hope to the L’Aquila citizens. The Superintendence Office carried on the restoration project, with the scientific support of the University of L’Aquila and the Sapienza University of Rome, under the coordination of the Politecnico di Milano. The challenge was to improve on one side the use of BIM tools for existing buildings (Oreni et al. 2013; Brumana et al. 2017), able to combine all the complexity of the geometrical shapes, and on the other the use of these tools for processes of built heritage conservation (Della Torre 2015). The HBIM has been carried on by integrating the surveying (Oreni et al. 2014) with the information coming from the historical and archive research and with the construction technology analysis. The aim was to support the following activities: (i) the design project, preservation and decision-making, (ii) the management of critical issues, regarding the conservation of material authenticity and construction techniques and (iii) the need to guarantee safety also in case of other potentially stronger earthquakes. Given these main goals of the project, the production of HBIM of the Basilica needed to take into account the complex morphology of the different ancient structures and their transformations along the centuries.

3 From 3D Geometric Survey to HBIM: Generative Modelling

The surveys of the Basilica (Barazzetti et al. 2015a, b) has been carried out to check the geometry of the whole damaged Basilica, the out of plumbs, the structural state of the art, in order to support the preservation plan. A geodetic network has been carried out to strengthen the clouds registry (Laser scanner Faro Focus ©), and the 3D photogrammetric image block processing, covering all the vertical walls and the vaulted system.

The first draft release of 2D digital drawings (plans and vertical sections) was delivered starting from the information collected during on-site surveying campaigns (May 2013); the first HBIM drafted version was delivered in support of the preliminary steps of the design project (end of 2013) and to the definitive-executive steps (2014–15).

In the case of Collemaggio Basilica, the precondition was the reliability of the HBIM from the point of view of geometry and interoperability: every element of the Basilica was be linked and related to the different kinds of information, and to be managed by various actors (Barazzetti et al. 2016). Therefore, the HBIM has been addressed to manage the geometric richness and morphology acquired by the point clouds in order to support the following modelling phases. The modelling procedure developed had to be able to gather all the richness of information contained in the point clouds (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

The primary, secondary data sources and tools used for the generation of the HBIM model

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Under the BIM tool technological aspect, parametric BIM models are generally managed for new construction processes; even the latest developments of parametric applications do not provide advanced tools, being time consuming for model generation. Therefore, different methods of modelling and representation of complex architectonical elements and managing of parametric BIM (Scans to NURBS) with multiple levels of details have been experimented with promising results, (Banfi 2016; Banfi et al. 2017).

A multi-slice-based wireframe model and/or cloud-based model have been adopted for each 3D parametric object, maintaining the morphologic richness and precision acquired by the surveying. A comprehensive overview of exiting procedures has been taken into account to define new processes and to boost the use of HBIM (Banfi 2016). The definition of the novel concept of ‘Grade of Generation’ (GOG 1–10) and Grade of Information (GOI), related to the object modelling, allows to enrich the logic of the traditional LOD sequence (100–500), defined by the AIA specifications (2013–2017), introducing as part of the process the method and functionalities adopted to generate the model objects themselves (Fig. 2). Starting from the cloud scans, the objects’ models were generated within the CAD environment and within other modelling environments (such as MC Nell Rhinoceros ©), in order to be managed further within the BIM tools (Banfi 2017).

Fig. 2
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Source after Banfi (2019) holistic generative modelling process for HBIM

The generative process applied to the HBIM of Basilica of Collemaggio.

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In Fig. 3, the generative process from the first phase of processing is represented by the creation of accurate 3D parametric objects following the GOG 9 and GOG 10 generative modelling process and protocols implemented (Banfi 2019).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Source Banfi (2019) holistic generative modelling process for HBIM

The different GOGs applied during the generative process.

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The study carried out on NURBS and geometric primitives led to improvements in the level of automation and accuracy of each element. Thanks to the combination of various advanced scan to BIM modelling requirements, and the proper use of generative profiles, the level of automation has passed from semi-automatic to automatic, avoiding long lead times and the relatively high costs involved in the digital 2D/3D representation. The generation of proper geometric primitives and the management of the generative digital process led to the creation of transmissible three-dimensional elements (Fig. 2). Clustering exchange formats (.dgw,.sat,.stp,.pts) made it possible to obtain and transfer 3D slices, profiles, control edges and complex shapes from a versatile 3D NURBS modeller (MC Neel Rhinoceros ©) to the most used comprehensive BIM application (Autodesk Revit ©).

4 HBIM as Building Site Tool to Share Different Data Among Actors

The HBIM model was conceived to support operators, architects, structural engineers, and their activities: economic computation, construction site management, diagnostic analysis, design, construction tender and restoration itself. The adopted approach allows the HBIM to be updated and adapted by the different BIM actors in order to support the different phases: (i) models that provide a comparison and impact assessment of the simulation scenario of different solutions for decisions making about the crashed dome; (ii) conservation plan of the overall restoration design, progressively including the diagnostic analysis within the BIM (material analysis, surface decay analysis and preservation project) (Fig. 4); (iii)Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in support of the structural analysis, addressing the intervention on the damaged pillars, the walls and vaulted system; (Barazzetti et al. 2014; Crespi et al. 2016) (iv) Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of the restoration activities and the computational phase; (Brumana et al. 2018) (v) Construction Site Management (Co.Si.M) carried out on the HBIM adding machinery, construction site structures, simulation of the scaffoldings to manage the construction site and to simulate partitions in order to make the Basilica partially usable during the last phases of restoration; (vi) Virtual Reality/Cloud LIVEBIM management within Virtual Reality by I-devices for on site and touristic purposes.

Fig. 4
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The utility of HBIM for 3D mapping and the generation of specific BIM database related to the new type of information such as decay areas and stratigraphic information

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During the Scan to HBIM process, different Level of Detail (LODs) have been defined and adopted in function of the different activities:

  • HBIM conservation plan: 3D complex model of the damaged Basilica LoD500;

  • HBIM design project and scenario simulation: LoD300 (i.e. solutions on the crashed dome and pillars);

  • HBIM construction site management: simplification from LoD500 to LoD300 (complex to simplex);

  • HBIM to WBS (supporting Work Breakdown Structures, list of the activities and metric-estimative computation): LoD500;

  • HBIM preservation and maintenance plan: LoD 500;

  • HBIM to FEA: LoD500;

  • On site management and HBIM as-built updating (LoD500 and LoD500–300).

5 Conclusions

They remain a few open questions: did we manage the paradigm of HBIMs complexity linked to preservation challenges? In other words, can we boost the level of preservation of challenging aspects using BIM tools and interoperability? How to reach this goal in a time-cost-effective manner, thus encouraging a more systematic use of BIM by the public and private subjects? Which lacks and gaps have to be overcome in the future, besides the BIM modelling issues?

After different experiences, it is possible to argue that one HBIM challenges is represented by the structural analysis and decision-making towards the preservation aims. In theory, this result certainly represents an important step in the process linking HBIM complexity to the structural analysis domain. Given that the demolition and reconstruction of all the pillars was out of options requested by the Superintendence, this issue has become one of the main points of discussion among specialists, restorers and structural engineers. Authors here argue that in the case of single elements data management (such as the case of the pillars preservation), the use of HBIM has heavily contributed to support the preservation process. Structural intervention able to embody all the richness is gained from the HBIM model and it needs to be further investigated. During the restoration project and the on-site intervention regarding the Basilica of Collemaggio, many difficult compromises have been undertaken, between conservation and safety issues, causing also difficult choices when it was necessary to partially sacrifice functional authenticity of structural elements. In those cases, in order to enhance the level of preservation and to adopt softer measures of connection and reinforcement among structural elements (i.e. pillars, arches, walls, vaults, domes, trusses facades and wooden roof interventions), taking into account the tradition of their construction technologies, the HBIM model was fundamental tool for simulation of different scenarios to support better informed decision-making processes.