Digital Transformation of Architectural Legacy: Creating a Virtual Museum for preservation and dissemination

Abstract

This project aims to valorise, preserve, and disseminate the architectural legacy of renowned Argentinian architect Miguel Ángel Roca (M.A.R.) by creating a virtual museum intended as a constantly updatable digital environment. By leveraging advanced digital tools such as BIM modelling, Virtual Reality (VR) and Digital Twin (DT) technologies, the research first focuses on collecting and cataloguing Roca’s sketches and designs within a dynamic, user-friendly digital archive. This actively configures as a Common Data Environment (CDE) based on well-known communication and in-cloud storage platforms, i.e., Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, to promote accessibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and interoperability, thus fostering innovation and enhancing engagement with diverse audiences. Following the definition of shared standards for the systematisation of the preexisting documentation, novel models of selected projects, maps and visualisation tools will feed the digital ecosystem under consideration so as to set up a virtual museum with differentiated access levels for managing and dissemination purposes. Consistent with global trends in cultural heritage digitisation, the project preserves Roca’s influential contributions to modern architecture and urban planning while enhancing access to his body of work. It integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as BIM and GIS modelling, for existing and unbuilt projects, while also providing immersive experiences and tools for critical analyses. This evolving digital catalogue ensures sustainability through continuous updates and metadata integration, positioning the museum as a hub for research, education, and cultural exchange. Ultimately, it aims to bridge the gap between historical preservation and modern technology, revitalising Roca’s teachings and making his legacy accessible to future generations by embracing innovative approaches to teaching architectural history.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.35.2025.14