Applicability of a Parametric and Semantic Model for the HBIM Project of the Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito

Abstract

This research addresses the parametric and semantic heritage modelling of the Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito, Ecuador, within the Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) context to manage information and support its preventive conservation and maintenance. The construction, architectural and artistic particularities of this emblematic example of the Latin American Baroque of the Jesuit order, built from 1605 to 1765, require an exhaustive 3D digital replica. An accurate model enables programmed actions in a comprehensive management project and further monitoring of the asset. Massive data acquisition technologies, e.g., Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry, greatly help capture the real state of historic constructions. These protocols provide accurate details that enrich the building’s intrinsic database—structure, materiality, evolution and metamorphosis—and are constantly updated to support future interventions. A large library of heritage objects that supports the 3D model of the historic building is pursued. To face this challenge, progress must still be made to effectively implement unstructured data organisation processes and semantic classification by architectural and artistic typologies. This work addresses the analysis and implementation of semi-automatic modelling techniques for accurate heritage representation. Based on TLS data, this Scan-to-mesh-to-BIM workflow culminates in the creation of 3D parametric objects. The methodological process developed explores several complementary paths to automate modelling processes, whether parts or complete historical systems, to reinforce the HBIM project. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.