A Multidimensional Approach to Digital Applications in Architectural Heritage in Brunei Darussalam

This paper intends to understand the cultural, stylistic and historical significance of architectural heritage in Brunei Darussalam in order to ensure its safeguarding and sustainability. This paper focuses on the use of digital technologies to support the surveying and archival analysis of architectural heritage in Brunei Darussalam. Through the methods of digital humanities, this current research endeavour is focused on documentation (geometric, architectural, and historical) through 2D and 3D drawings, creating digital and interactive maps for geo-spatial, contextual, and phenomenological navigation to locate architectural heritage. This research demonstrates the potential of digital technologies in the study and safeguarding of architectural heritage and the instrumentalization of this data to create an interactive and open access platform designed for education, conservation, cultural management, safeguarding awareness, social responsibility, and tourism development.

The long run trade orientation of an economy is measured in this article by an index which measures the extent to which the real exchange rate is distorted away from its free trade level by the trade regime. The technique for estimating a cross country index of real exchange rate distortion uses the international comparison of prices prepared by Robert Summers and Alan Heston. Resource endowment constitutes the norm and real overvaluation or undervaluation relative to this norm reveals whether incentives are directed to the domestic or international market. The index is constructed based on data for GDP/capita average price level in US dollars 1976-85 and GDP growth rate/capita 1976-85. Other sections are devoted the comparison of the procedure for 117 countries between 1976-85 and an examination of the empirical relationship between outward orientation and economic growth and sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that Latin America generally was overvalued by 33% relative to Asia and Africa was overvalued by 86%. The real exchange rate distortion index supports the view that Asian countries are more outward oriented. Asian economies have lower price levels which reflect relatively modest protection and incentives oriented to external markets. Latin American countries with moderately high price level and African countries with very high price levels reflect strong protection and incentives directed to production for the domestic market. An alternative specification which eliminates the dummy variables for Africa yields similar results with slightly lower magnitude; i.e. overvaluation is 60% instead of 86% for Africa and Latin America is overvalued by 39% instead of 33% over Asia. A table is provided which indicates by country the distortion and variability of the real exchange rate the GDP growth the 1976 GDP/capita and the investment rate. Another finding was that there is a significant negative relationship between distortion of the real exchange rate and growth of GDP/capita after controlling for the effects of real exchange rate variability and investment level with both the original specification and the alternative. The growth rate/capita of Latin American and African countries would increase 1.5-2.1% with a shift to move outward oriented trade policies. This gain as well as devaluation of the real exchange reate trade liberalization and maintenance of a stable real exchange rate would contribute to positive growth rates. In the analysis of the poorest 24 countries the result was that only rate distortion and not variability and investment rate explained the growth rate. The gain for Ghana for example of adopting the trade policies and exchange rate of Bangladesh would be 5% to its growth.

This paper explores the digital development and application of Song Dynasty wooden architecture heritage based on experiential education, aiming to inherit and promote this important cultural heritage through modern technological means. Through an in-depth analysis of the “Yingzao Fashi,” the design concepts of Song Dynasty architecture are extracted, including systematic beauty, scientific beauty, artistic beauty, and humanistic beauty. By combining digital technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), virtual scenes and interactive experiences are constructed to enhance the understanding and perception of ancient architectural culture among young people. The paper describes in detail the application of digital technology in architectural resource construction, including digital modeling of ancient books and three-dimensional restoration of existing buildings, showcasing the unique charm of Song Dynasty architecture. The research demonstrates that digitalization not only provides new perspectives and methods for the inheritance of Song Dynasty wooden architecture but also lays the foundation for achieving the goal of “entering the mind and heart” in cultural education. Through this innovative practice, the digital development and application of Song Dynasty architectural heritage will promote the widespread dissemination and education of traditional culture.

Abstract. Technological developments in architectural visualization and advancements in digital applications that uses Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms allows integration of digital technologies in heritage visualization more than ever before. Particular advantage of the integration of these digital technologies could be seen in the lost architectural and urban heritage visualization. Since these buildings or historic towns do not exist or simply altered in a way that the historical aspects of these heritage places could not be captured anymore, these digital technologies generates a valuable platform in order to experience these non-existing buildings as they were many years ago.One of the major objectives of this research was to assess the contribution of recapturing lost architectural heritage for cross cultural understanding, place-identity and heritage relationship. In order to assess this research question, participants were selected as population exchange descendants of 1923, that took place between Turkey and Greece. As one of the primary port of deportation and as major cultural and economic centres of early 1920s, Izmir and Thessaloniki provided valuable research area with their similar historical developments that resulted by the loss of many heritage buildings. Accordingly interviews, focus group studies and participant observation has been performed with conservation decision makers and population exchange descendants by using various digital models of lost historic buildings from Izmir and Thessaloniki. This allowed a comparative analysis of the impact of the use of digital technologies as part of heritage visualization of lost buildings.This paper aims to discuss the significance of using various digital technologies while visualizing lost architectural heritage in the particular case of post-conflict societies.

Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) has emerged as a key tool in advancing heritage conservation and sustainable management. Preceding reviews had typically concentrated on specific technical aspects but did not provide sufficient bibliometric analysis. This study aims to integrate existing HBIM research to identify key research patterns, emerging trends, and forecast future directions. A total of 1516 documents were initially retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using targeted search terms. Following a relevance screening, 1175 documents were related to the topic. CiteSpace 6.4.R1, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and Bibliometrix 4.1, three bibliometric tools, were employed to conduct both quantitative and qualitative assessments. The results show three historical phases of HBIM, identify core journals, influential authors, and leading regions, and extract six major keyword clusters: risk assessment, data acquisition, semantic annotation, digital twins, and energy and equipment management. Nine co-citation clusters further outline the foundational literature in the field. The results highlight growing scholarly interest in workflow integration and digital twin applications. Future projections emphasize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in HBIM, while also recognizing critical implementation barriers, particularly in developing countries and resource-constrained contexts. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic framework for HBIM research, offering valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers involved in heritage preservation and digital management.

Mapping constitutes a critical component of architectural heritage research, providing the groundwork for both conservation and utilization efforts. Three-dimensional (3D) digital documentation represents a prominent form of mapping in the contemporary era, and its value is widely recognized. However, cost and portability constraints often limit its widespread use in routine research and conservation initiatives. This study proposes a cost-effective and portable approach to 3D digital documentation, employing everyday-carry (EDC) equipment, the iPhone 15 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro, for data acquisition in architectural heritage. The workflow was subsequently optimized, and the datasets from the iPhone-LiDAR and microdrone were seamlessly integrated, resulting in an integrated 3D digital model of both the indoor and outdoor spaces of the architectural heritage site. The model demonstrated an overall relative error of 4.93%, achieving centimeter-level accuracy, precise spatial alignment between indoor and outdoor sections, clear and smooth texture mapping, high visibility, and suitability for digital display applications. This optimized workflow leverages the strengths of both EDC equipment types while addressing the limitations identified in prior studies.

The need for BIPA (Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers) learning facilities, particularly in the form of materials and audio-visual learning media, is critical. This can also serve as an attraction for tourists interested in learning the Indonesian language. An interactive digital encyclopaedia is an application that provides access to knowledge in a digital format. This medium facilitates users in accessing information, following links, watching videos, listening to audio, and participating in quizzes and educational games digitally. The aim of this research is to design an interactive digital encyclopaedia of Palembang urban culture on a web-based HTML5 platform as a communicative learning support medium for Indonesian language learners who are non-native speakers. Qualitative case study approach combined with the 4D development model was employed. The case study helps researchers identify language, culture, and arts that could have implications for BIPA learning. The 4D development model was used to design the interactive digital encyclopaedia application on a web-based HTML5 platform. The design themes include language, art, and culture in Palembang, which are further broken down into several topics based on the BIPA syllabus: Introduction, Geography and Demography of Palembang, Language and Literature, Palembang Culture, Architecture Heritage, Social and Religious, Economy and Daily Activities, Interactive, Glossary, References, and Team. The novelty of this research lies in the design of an interactive digital encyclopedia of Palembang's urban culture on a web-based HTML5 platform. The content not only describes Palembang's culture but also aligns with the BIPA program's policies, syllabus, and learning outcomes.

With the consensus view that the cats are considered as a powerful and recognisable element that can actively contribute to the promotion and acceptance of projects in which they participate, an "alternative" mapping of the landscape of the settlement of Ano Syros (Syros Island, Greece) with cats as protagonists was created. This study was conducted by the authors for the 7th Interdisciplinary Seminar on Sustainable Development, Culture and Tradition at the Syros Institute. To the reasonable question "why cats?”, the answer is: "Because in Ano Syros, cats are everywhere! Here, cats are not considered as stray cats, they are practically roommates with the inhabitants of Ano Syros and can easily break the threshold between public and private space".A cat count map was created showing the population density of cats on specific routes in Ano Syros. In addition, a map was designed showing the most frequently visited/preferred posts of the most recognisable cats in Ano Syros. Snapshots taken from various landmarks in the settlement are then used to create a cute narrative of the landscape through the eyes of the cats themselves, with the cats as the main characters. An approach, with these popular tourists - residents as the main characters in the photographic composition, can highlight the peculiarities of the region with humour and unexpected clarity. In addition to providing insight in to the local atmosphere, it also helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving and promoting the island's cultural and architectural heritage. Also, it can contribute to the protection and care of this precious domestic animal.It is essentially a creative game of exploration and discovery of Ano Syros, inviting the spectator and, at the same time, potential visitor, to follow, study, discover or rediscover and, ultimately, fall in love with Ano Syros.Place marketing consists of strategically designed processes that rely on a deep knowledge of place image and place identity (Deffner, 2012). Against this background and accepting that cats are an inseparable part of island life and landscape, together with the dynamics of these adorable and popular pets, the development of innovative digital applications that promote Ano Syros with a fun and playful spatial performativity can play an important role in place marketing and certainly constitutes one of the ultimate aims of this work.

The paper presents the first results of the Cortona Heritage Project, which takes the opportunity to use the techniques of Virtual heritage to implementing concrete and innovative modes making the very rich cultural heritage of ancient Tuscan cities accessible for more people and engaging new publics by promoting its knowledge among young generations.

Abstract. HBIM methodology is nowadays widely used for the management of all aspects of architectural heritage, from survey to analysis, up to protection and management issues. This interest is due to the potential that HBIM methodology offers in terms of collection, processing, management and sharing of information, through a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach. Practical application of HBIM are the Scan-to-BIM processes, i.e. the digital reproduction of architectures starting from survey methodologies based on laser scanning and photogrammetry.An increasingly frequent application of HBIM models is their integration in game engines for educational or communicative purposes. Actually, examples of AR and VR applications, serious games or virtual tours employing such models are increasingly frequent. Indeed, such tools allow the generation of virtual immersive environments in which the user is free to navigate or interact with objects. The use of virtual environments that reproduce real places or architectures, is able to generate new attraction and interest in users, while facilitating immaterial accessibility and, allowing a dynamic formulation of content, greater ease of understanding and reading calibrated to the user. The paper aims at the development of a virtual tour set entirely in the former Jesuitical Complex of Santa Croce, located in the historical district of Castello in Cagliari. This tour will be a potential tool to support the understanding and communication of historic architecture by going to the virtual accessibility of the complex.

Abstract. Architectural heritage conservation demands the integration of precise physical documentation and interpretative design knowledge, yet current HBIM approaches remain fragmented: ‘scan-to-BIM’ prioritizes geometric accuracy at the expense of semantic richness, while “rule-based reconstruction” emphasizes idealized logic over as-built evidence. To bridge this gap, this study introduces the KSQI paradigm (Knowledge-Semantics-Quantities-Image), a novel framework that systematically connects domain expertise with digital modelling to balance spatial accuracy and architectural semantics. The research develops an as-recognized modelling or semantic-driven modelling through (1) a conservation cycle-guided information indexing system for semantic-driven knowledge integration, (2) a data-model decoupling workflow that teams from different disciplines maintain their working habits, handling data and models separately, then recoupling data-model by BIM team, and (3) a pattern book tooling solution including check forms for hierarchical investigation, algorithm modelling generator. By linking physical attributes (quantities/images) with design logic (semantics/knowledge), KSQI enhances information management, supports iterative knowledge updates, and facilitates informed conservation decisions. Case studies demonstrate its effectiveness in encoding both as-built conditions and historical, traditional design/construction principles, reinforcing the ‘H’ (history/heritage knowledge) in HBIM. This framework advances heritage documentation toward the smart metric survey, ensuring models serve as dynamic, semantically rich assets for conservation, research, dissemination, and digital twin applications.

Language education is an interdisciplinary field aimed at developing individuals’ skills in learning and using a foreign or second language. Encompassing the social, cultural, and cognitive dimensions of language, this process has become a fundamental component of contemporary educational curricula. Language acquisition theories offer diverse perspectives on how language learning occurs. Key approaches such as behaviorism, cognitive theory, interactionist theory, and sociocultural theory emphasize the importance of cognitive processes, social interactions, and environmental factors in language learning. These theories directly guide the development of methods and techniques used in language education. Language teaching methods vary widely, ranging from the classical grammar-translation method to communicative approaches, total physical response, and task-based learning. Each method differs in its objectives, implementation, and effectiveness. Current approaches prioritize learner-centered, interaction-based, and technology-supported instructional models. Comparisons of language teaching methods help educators understand which approach is most effective under specific conditions. However, in practice, challenges arise due to classroom settings, student profiles, resources, and teacher competencies. Therefore, adopting flexible and multidimensional approaches in language education is critical for successful learning experiences. In addition, recent developments in digital learning environments, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence-based tools have significantly transformed the landscape of language education. These innovations not only facilitate personalized and autonomous learning but also enhance learners’ motivation and engagement. Consequently, integrating technology into language education has become increasingly indispensable, especially in addressing the diverse needs of modern learners across formal and informal contexts.

Digital tools and new technology are changing all aspects of today life, up to architecture and design concepts. They allow a new approach to the nature as a model, which is a concept that drives the theory of Architecture trough centuries. Then the affirmation of digital technologies is radically changing the application of organic models, which does not concern the shape any more, but just the morphing process. The aim of these notes is to stress significance, reasons and evolution of this reference that confirms the strong relationship between the theoretical heritage of architecture and its today developments, due to the application of digital technology to design, fabrication and construction. The making process find its theoretical validation in shape grammars and in traditional concepts of module, tessellation and pattern, which rules the design of decoration, surfaces and ordered conformations. Digital application of old basic design’s confirms the value of this heritage as constant of architecture theory.

Vernacular architecture is identified as a structure based on specific local needs, on the presence of building materials present in the place and on the extemporaneousness of the architecture, built according to structural dogmas based on the local construction tradition. This is confirmed by the etymology of the word ‘vernacular’, from the Latin “vernaculus”, meaning "indigenous, domestic", or from “verna”, that is "native slave". In the present, vernacular architecture takes on new meanings, often used as an identifier for popular architecture - as also stated by Allen Noble in "Traditional Buildings: A global Survey of Structural Forms and Cultural Functions" of 2007 - or rather structures belonging to common people but «That can be built by skilled professionals, using local and traditional designs and materials», which is also supported by the Oxford English Dictionary. It is in this context that the vernacular Aeolian architecture fits, which significantly and identically characterize the entire territory of the Aeolian Islands, awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Aeolian architecture is inextricably linked to the history of the invasions of different peoples that have taken place in this area, such as the Greek-Roman, Islamic and finally Campania influences, due to their modifications both from an urbanistic and compositional point of view. But today how is it possible to encourage the dissemination and knowledge of these architectures which are so identifying for the Sicilian territory? Cataloging and semantics are configured as fundamental actions for the analysis and use of the architectural heritage, broken down into its deepest formal and compositional characteristics, identifiable in Aeolian architecture through the identification of semantics with a peculiar nomenclature. This article therefore investigates the aspects of semantics applied to traditional language and the compositional characteristics of Aeolian architecture, treated as an indissoluble link of knowledge and analysis of the building, through possible uses of digital applications.

Social interactions are a part of our everyday lives. This can be challenging for individuals who experience social interactions as demanding, such as persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, different types of training exist to help individuals affected by ASD practice in challenging situations. Digital applications offer advantages over traditional training because they can better address the individual needs of people with ASD. The development of a therapeutic application initially requires identifying appropriate emotion-relevant scenarios of social interaction. Based on a previous study evaluating text-based scenarios with different levels of complexity, a virtual reality (VR) environment was developed to assess the applicability of the scenarios in VR. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted. Two different scenarios of social interaction, each with four different levels of complexity, were presented and evaluated by 18 participants (10 males, eight females). A multidimensional approach was used to combine subjective assessments and psychophysiological measures (ECG and EDA). The results showed that the implementation of the scenarios in VR was able to differentiate between different levels of complexity. As the long-term target is to implement the findings in a therapeutic application for people with ASD, the results of the study are promising for the achievement of this goal.