ARK-BIM: Open-Source Cloud-Based HBIM Platform for Archaeology

Abstract

In recent years, Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) methodology has strengthened the documentation and interpretation of archaeological contexts and is regarded as a breakthrough in relation to established methodologies and analyses. Change is also taking place regarding web and cloud-based solutions, and this work acknowledges the importance of cloud-based and web HBIM solutions applied to Cultural Heritage assets and archaeology. More than ever, online platforms are becoming useful services to ease data exchange and validation between collaborators and stakeholders, establishing multidisciplinary approaches. Despite the presence of different cloud-based platforms, Heritage asset documentation can hardly be managed by environments or software developed for architecture and construction design. For this reason, this project is strongly founded on four pillars: online documentation, collaboration, communication and accessibility. Cognisant of these needs, the paper is aimed at the development of a custom HBIM cloud platform for archaeology, on the basis of the BIMData open-source online environment. This platform, called ARK-BIM, can be considered a modular solution leaning on HTML, JavaScript, VueJS, XEOKIT and open-source languages.