Using Photogrammetry to 3D Scan Heritage Building Materials

Naomi Mullumby and Sarah Charing

Abstract: The Architecture, Building and Planning Library, University of Melbourne, has undertaken an ambitious project, using photogrammetry to 3D scan a collection of heritage building materials. The first 50 objects became publicly accessible in 2022.

To represent such a complex project fully, we have three platforms where different aspects of the collection can be discovered. A selection of the objects have been 3D scanned and are hosted on Pedestal; the metadata and working photos of the entire collection is available via Omeka; and a website has been created, hosted by the Australian Centre for Australian Cultural and Urban Heritage, which is a hub for the whole project.

This presentation will provide background and context for the collection, allow the attendees to explore and interact with the 3D scans, and then offer the opportunity to consider how they might engage with and/or use the collection.

About: Sarah Charing is a liaison librarian, research support in the Architecture, Building and Planning Library at the University of Melbourne. She really loves historical research and reference management, and recently completed an MPhil to combine the two.

Naomi Mullumby is a Faculty and School librarian at the University of Melbourne with over 15 years’ experience in Higher Education. Naomi specialises in building unique collection projects aligning them to teaching, research, exhibitions and other engagement opportunities.