Dengfeng, Henan Province, China, August 15, 2025
News Summary
A research team produced a millimetre-accurate Heritage Building Information Model (HBIM) of the Main Hall at Chuzu Temple in Dengfeng, Henan. Using 1.1 billion-point terrestrial laser scans, roughly 3,000 drone images, manual measurement and archival records, they modelled complex Song‑dynasty timber elements and inferred hidden interlocking joints. Deliverables include a loadable Revit family library of 66 categories and 330 families, 23 deterioration drawings, unified point clouds and virtual tours via Unreal Engine. The HBIM captures geometry and condition data to support conservation, reuse on other timber heritage projects and regional HBIM standards.
Researchers create a detailed HBIM of a Song‑dynasty hall and a reusable component library
A research team has produced a detailed Heritage Building Information Model (HBIM) of the Main Hall of Chuzu Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province, and built a reusable family library covering 66 categories and 330 families for Chinese timber architecture. The work combines dense laser scans, drone photos, manual measurements and archival records to capture both geometry and conservation data for a rare Song‑dynasty timber structure.
Key result up front
The project delivers a millimetre‑accurate 3D model of the Song‑era Main Hall (built in 1125) and a set of loadable Revit families designed to be reused on other timber heritage projects. The HBIM model includes high‑detail components such as bracket sets (puzuo), timber frames and roof elements modelled to a high Level of Development and loaded with non‑geometric data about condition and decoration.
What was modelled and why it matters
The Main Hall sits inside a north–south courtyard complex of about 3,000 square meters that includes 49 steles and 14 ancient trees. The hall’s structure follows construction rules close to those recorded in the Song‑era manual Yingzao Fashi, and retains a nearly square plan with three bays by three bays, a xieshan (hip‑and‑gable) roof and complex bracket sets. Because timber buildings use interlocking joints that are not visible from surface scans, the team combined scans with historical drawings and expert analysis to infer internal connections and reach modelling decisions.
How the data were collected
Survey work used a mix of equipment and methods. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) produced roughly 1.1 billion points using a FARO Focus S70 from 110 scan stations, with registration error kept within 3 mm. Drone photogrammetry with a DJI Phantom 4 RTK supplied about 3,000 images and a ±1 cm reconstruction accuracy. Manual measurements filled gaps where scans couldn’t capture occluded or reflective surfaces. Point clouds from TLS and UAV were merged and simplified before import to the HBIM environment.
Software and modelling workflow
The modelling pipeline used Autodesk Revit as the HBIM authoring tool, with FARO SCENE, Geomagic Studio, Context Capture, Autodesk Recap, 3ds Max, Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and Navisworks to process, visualize and schedule the data. The workflow followed four main steps: multi‑source data collection, family library creation, geometric modelling, and loading of non‑geometric information. Families were built as single component and composite (nested) loadable Revit items; some in‑place families were used where shapes depend on neighbours.
What the family library contains
The study produced a component library grouped into 12 major categories such as platform, puzuo layers, upper beams, roof layers and interior decoration. In total the library contains 66 family categories and 330 individual families. The naming system combines a unique numeric ID with a grid and elevation code so each part can be tracked unambiguously in the shared model.
Level of detail and condition data
The team adapted common LOD ideas for heritage use, assigning walls, doors and columns to LOD300 and timber beam frames, puzuo and roofs to LOD400. Non‑geometric data include high‑definition images linked to family attributes, annotated deterioration drawings (23 produced in total) and Revit schedules that export condition data for analysis. The model was fitted to the point cloud with a maximum deviation of 3 mm for most components.
Virtual display and outputs
The HBIM supports immersive viewing and construction simulation. Models and environmental data were brought into Unreal Engine for virtual tours and into Navisworks TimeLiner for virtual construction animation. Deliverables include the HBIM model, the 330‑family library, 23 deterioration drawings, unified point clouds and sliced 2D drawings for conservation reference.
Practical recommendations and limits
The study stresses that point clouds alone are not enough for timber heritage because internal joints are hidden. Custom loadable families are essential since mainstream BIM tools lack East Asian timber components. Full automation is limited; manual modelling and expert inference remain necessary. The authors recommend minimum scanning clearance of 2 meters, a team of field and post‑processing staff, suitable hardware, adopting IFC for cross‑platform work and pushing for regional HBIM standards.
Context and next steps
The work aims to be reusable and scalable. Future directions noted include making more parametric families, integrating lifecycle maintenance, linking structural and microclimate monitoring, using IoT for preventive care, and applying the method to nearby heritage sites. The data and families can be requested from the corresponding authors under the paper’s data sharing terms.
Publication and funding
The study appears in a peer‑reviewed open‑access journal article published in 2025, and the work was supported by provincial research funds, the National Natural Science Foundation and other academic grants. The article is shared under a Creative Commons CC BY‑NC‑ND 4.0 license.
FAQ
What is HBIM and why is it useful for timber heritage?
HBIM stands for Heritage Building Information Model. It combines 3D geometry with semantic and conservation data. For timber heritage, HBIM helps record hidden interlocking joints, track condition, plan conservation and support virtual presentations.
How accurate is the model?
The point cloud has millimetre‑level accuracy, registration RMSE was kept within 3 mm, and drone reconstructions were controlled to about ±1 cm. Component models fit the point cloud with deviations under 3 mm.
Can the family library be reused on other buildings?
Yes. The 66 family categories and 330 families were designed as loadable Revit families to be reused and adapted to other Chinese timber heritage projects.
How can I access the data?
Datasets are available on reasonable request from the corresponding authors listed in the published paper; some sharing restrictions apply under the publication license.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Value / Notes |
|---|---|
| Site | Chuzu Temple Main Hall, Dengfeng (34°30′N, 112°55′E); Song‑dynasty origin (1125) |
| Footprint | Two‑courtyard layout, ~3,000 m²; 49 steles, 14 ancient trees |
| TLS | FARO Focus S70; 110 stations; ~1.1 billion points; RMSE ≤ 3 mm |
| UAV | DJI Phantom 4 RTK; ~3,000 images; ±1 cm accuracy |
| Family library | 12 major categories; 66 family categories; 330 families (loadable) |
| LOD | Walls/doors/windows/columns LOD300; timber frames, puzuo, roofs LOD400 |
| Deliverables | HBIM model, family library, 23 deterioration drawings, point clouds, virtual tour & animations |
| License | Open access article under CC BY‑NC‑ND 4.0 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Nature: HBIM of Chuzu Temple (article)
- Wikipedia: Building information modeling
- Nature: Article figures — Figure 1
- Google Search: Song dynasty timber architecture puzuo Yingzao Fashi
- Nature: Article PDF
- Google Scholar: HBIM Chuzu Temple
- Nature: Supplementary information
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Yingzao Fashi
- Nature: Data availability / Author contact
- Google News: Heritage BIM timber China HBIM
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