Recreating Built Heritage for Cities: Creating Accurate HBIM 3D Buildings for Use in Unreal Engine 5

Introduction

Historic buildings are physical manifestations of cultural heritage, representing the traditions, values, and histories of the communities that built and inhabited them. They provide tangible connections to the past, allowing people to experience the architectural styles, craftsmanship, and urban planning of previous periods. This direct connection to history plays a critical role in shaping collective identity, inculcating a sense of belonging, and guaranteeing the continuity of cultural narratives.

I have always been intrigued by the stories these buildings hold, hence my early company name “The Talking Walls” in 2004, which was initially focused on Dunster Castle, Somerset (National Trust, 1999). A retired schoolteacher who became ...