IN2PAST exploratory project to digitise the church of S. João de Calvos was featured in radio programme 90 Seconds of Science episode N.º 2000, with principal investigator Fabio Sitzia (HERCULES – University of Évora / IN2PAST) explaining how, and why, the team is building a digital conservation model for the Romanesque church in northern Portugal.

The aim of this project is to produce a detailed 3D digital model of the church using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies and tools, capable of integrating archaeological, architectural and geological information that can be useful both for those responsible for conservation, such as archaeologists and conservation companies, and for policy-makers and visitors.

90 Seconds of Science is a Portuguese radio programme ‘that gives Portuguese researchers a voice’, airing online and twice a day on national radio Antena 1. Episode N.º 2000 Fábio Sitzia – Projeto cria modelo digital de conservação para igreja românica no Norte de Portugal first aired on April 24th and is available here and here.

The PI explains, among other things, how researchers from 4 IN2PAST research units, and collaborators, are assessing the construction material and the stone, and using microphotogrammetry and LIDAR to create a reproduction of the building and assess the current state of the monument. The monitoring of the building over time is just one of many conservation and enjoyment possibilities open by this exploratory project funded by IN2PAST.