Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an established approach in the construction industry that enables efficient collaboration between stakeholders and facilitates project management. However, when it comes to historical buildings, the application of BIM can be demanding due to the complex nature of these projects. Although BIM Uses in the construction sector are well-documented (Penn State University, 2013) and we are surrounded by amazing technologies, we do not yet have standardized international workflows on how to use those state-of-the-art techniques with Cultural Heritage Assets (Bruno and Roncella, 2019). Standardizing Cultural Heritage (CH) metric documentation and Heritage/Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is challenging since each CH asset needs different information throughout the whole life cycle of the monument - both their physical and non-physical attributes, such as historical and cultural characteristics. Additionally, every work carried out on CH, such as knowledge acquisition, restoration, adaptation, etc., requires specific data inputs. Although there are guidelines books that offer some general proposals, they represent the maximum effort towards standardization. As a result, the field of HBIM has emerged as a relatively new area of scientific research that focuses on the digital representation of CH assets.This research aims to develop a working method and templates for procurement workflow standardization that will facilitate the documentation of historic buildings and heritage assets in coordination with relevant historic preservation authorities for the BIM use case - asset register. The use of various measurement methods, the registration of captured point clouds, and the transfer of geometry to a BIM-compliant 3D information model and sustainable data storage are important aspects of this project.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage (CH) demands precise and comprehensive information representation to document, analyse, and manage assets effectively. While Building Information Modelling (BIM) facilitates as-is state documentation, challenges in semantic interoperability of complex cultural data often limit its potential in heritage contexts. This study investigates the integration of BIM tools with the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) platform to enhance semantic interoperability for heritage assets. Using a proof-of-concept approach, the research focuses on a historic tenement house in Tarnów, Poland, modelled with the IFC schema standard and enriched with the MIDAS heritage classification system. The methodology includes transforming the classification system into bSDD data dictionary, publishing thesauri for components, materials, and monument types, and semantic enrichment of the model using Bonsai (formerly BlenderBIM) plugin for Blender. Results demonstrate improved consistency, accuracy, and usability of BIM data for heritage preservation. The integration ensures detailed documentation and facilitates interoperability across platforms, addressing preservation challenges with enriched narratives of cultural significance. This method supports future predictive models for heritage asset conservation, emphasizing the importance of data quality and interoperability in safeguarding shared cultural heritage for future generations.

The CoVHer Erasmus+ project addresses the long-standing lack of standardisation in hypothetical virtual 3D reconstruction and modelling in architectural heritage research. It aims to develop best practices for the 3D reconstruction of lost or never-built architectural heritage, enhancing research quality, transparency, and reusability. The collaborative effort includes contributions from five European universities and two private companies, focusing on architecture, archaeology, digital humanities, and art history. The presented workflow of documentation is the result of the joint effort in extensions of the approaches of the Scientific Reference Model (SRM) and Critical Digital Model (CDM), which strive for faithful reconstruction, documenting all decisions and inferences and advocate open licensing and use of non-proprietary formats to promote accessibility and reusability. The developed methodology aims to provide tools for the scientific evaluation of hypothetical reconstructions and support data exchange between researchers.

Cultural heritage preservation faces unprecedented challenges due to the accelerating impacts of climate change and armed conflicts. International frameworks such as The Venice Charter (1964) and the UNESCO Charter on the Preservation of Digital Heritage (2003) emphasize the urgent need for effective documentation strategies for both physical and digital assets. Building Information Modeling (BIM), and more specifically Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM), offers a promising methodology to address these challenges by ensuring structured, object-based and life cycle-oriented digital management of historic structures. Despite its potential, the adoption of BIM standards in monument preservation remains limited, particularly within Germany’s federal cultural heritage management landscape. Barriers include insufficient resources, skills, and infrastructure among preservation authorities. To address this gap, the HBIM Worms Synagogue case study was developed as a pioneering project, serving both as a model for future workflows and as a basis for stakeholder training. The project outputs include a fully operational HBIM model, a Common Data Environment (CDE), a bSDD-based classification system, and standardized templates to ensure long-term data usability and accessibility. In parallel, the establishment of the Special Interest Group "BIM in Building Survey" and efforts to integrate HBIM into buildingSMART Germany initiatives reflect the growing institutional commitment to digital transformation. Outcomes will be disseminated through a practice-oriented HBIM Mastering Workshop, including hands-on exercises and interdisciplinary training, presented at the CIPA International Conference 2025. This paper outlines the methodologies, challenges, and strategic perspectives necessary for advancing HBIM as a standard tool in sustainable heritage preservation.

The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalisz represents a distinctive post-war architectural specimen, distinguished by its hyperbolic parabolic shell and intricate geometry. This unique design posed a significant challenge in terms of digital documentation. The necessity for accurate measurement data for the purpose of maintenance planning was made urgent by the deterioration of the structure's technical condition. The present article proposes a comprehensive methodology for the documentation of cultural heritage buildings characterised by complex geometry. The proposed methodology integrates terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), photogrammetry utilising unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), tachymetry and manual verification. To ensure comprehensive coverage, a total of 455 scan points and over 6,400 images were collected, with precise alignment provided by geodetic control networks. This approach provides a replicable framework for analogous cases worldwide. The data was processed in FARO SCENE, RiSCAN PRO, RealityCapture and PointCab Origins software to generate optimised point clouds, laserscan-based orthophotomaps and 2D documentation, while Rhinoceros/Grasshopper and Archicad software were used for parametric modelling of the irregular shell. The findings underscore the necessity to amalgamate automatic and manual methodologies for the purpose of eradicating discrepancies from theoretical geometry that have been occasioned by primitive construction methodologies. The proposed workflow demonstrates the efficacy of integrating laser scanning, photogrammetry and geodetic measurements in enhancing data reliability, reducing on-site measurement time, and facilitating interpretation. In addition to the creation of metrically accurate digital records, this methodology facilitates structural analysis, maintenance monitoring and the creation of preliminary HBIM models. The present study contributes to the standardisation of digital measurements. The following essay will provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant literature on the subject.