Re:generate
Restoring Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Cathedral to its former glory
“Restoring Pugin” is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in collaboration with Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Cathedral. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was a prominent figure in the Gothic Revival architectural movement in Britain during the early Victorian era, who famously worked on iconic buildings such as London’s clock tower – which houses Big Ben – and the Houses of Parliament. Pugin was also the mastermind behind the design of Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Cathedral, which sits on Derby Road in the city.
Following several grants in recent years that have seen improvements to the exterior of the cathedral, making it wind- and water-tight, NTU researchers are now focusing on restoring the interior to its former glory. The original Pugin decorative scheme in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Cathedral would have filled the building with colour and intricate detailing. Conservators found this original paintwork, hidden beneath later layers of plain paintwork, can be revealed and restored to its original beauty.
The use of cutting-edge digital technology lies at the heart of the Restoring Pugin project, with two aims: to enable the cathedral to better manage its heritage, and to also encourage young people to explore career opportunities in the heritage sector. Professor Benachir Medjdoub, of NTU’s School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment, is actively engaged in two innovative initiatives to achieve these objectives.
The first involves the creation of a “digital twin” of Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Cathedral, which is like a virtual copy of the building. Professor Medjdoub’s team have positioned a series of sensors strategically around the building, which provide real-time data every 15 minutes, and monitor environmental factors such as humidity, temperature and air quality. These sensors allow the team to create a 3D model of the building.
Persistent issues such as dampness and condensation in certain areas of the cathedral have proven challenging to address for certain experts. The sensor data provides detailed insights into how external temperature variations, visitor footfall, and heating systems impact the cathedral’s environment. By using this digital tool to bring together different kinds of information that everyone can understand, the digital twin helps experts make smarter decisions about how to take care of historic buildings. Restoring the building requires experts from different fields to work together, which can be tricky across different disciplines, such as environmental sciences and heritage professionals, who don’t work in the same way. Digital technology, however, can help by allowing different professionals to interpret the data. The digital twin model allows experts to understand changes to the internal environment and can help us to see if there are any problems, for example damp, to inform the strategy for restoration and also the conservation of the paintings.
It is hoped that Restoring Pugin Project will enable the Cathedral’s rich heritage and astonishing decoration to become better known across the city and region. Existing, new and diverse audiences will be encouraged to visit, discover and enjoy this precious architectural gem.
The second part of the project aims to inspire and guide young people to consider a career in heritage and conversation. Building on the existing virtual reality model of the cathedral, Professor Medjdoub is creating a game-based learning platform, designed to provide heritage conservation education for students aged 12-17. The team worked with children from Loughborough Schools Foundation to develop the story board of the game, and the are currently testing the game with children from Loughborough Schools Foundation, Bennerley Fields School, and Stanton Vale School .
The team hope this project, as well as educating young people on conservation management, will diversify the heritage workforce of the future.
Our researchers
Professor Benachir Medjdoub
Benachir is a qualified architect with several years of experience in practice and Professor of Digital Architectural Design. Benachir's research aims to understand human intelligence involved in the design process of our buildings and cities; developing novel generative design models and visualisation tools and systems with the aim to supporting the design of more economically viable and energy efficient buildings.
Safety and Sustainability
Professor Medjdoub’s research aligns to NTU’s Safety and Sustainability research theme.
Groups and centres
Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage
The Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage focuses on the investigation of human aspects of architecture, spatial practices, urban heritage, material culture and the built environment within the ever-changing urban and social structures of contemporary cities forcing new territories of interaction, innovation, creativity and analysis.
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