1911 International Exposition in Turin

Data Synergy Call Winner.

The 1911 Turin International Exposition was the last World's Fair held in Italy before WWI, and it was designed to be demolished immediately after closing. The project recovered this lost heritage by creating 3D models from archival drawings, photographs, and other sources found in archives across several countries. The team produced 20 models in two ways: survey-based 3D models of structures still standing (like the Valentino Castle) and document-based BIM reconstructions of pavilions that no longer exist.

Main results

The project digitally reconstructed the 1911 Turin International Exposition, a fair where all pavilions were demolished immediately after closing. The team produced 20 reusable 3D models: 10 survey-based pointcloud models of existing structures and 10 document-based BIM reconstructions of pavilions that no longer exist. A 6-step workflow was established: 1. export, 2. convert to GLB, 3. set base point, 4. georeference, 5. verify in cesium and 6. metadata creation. By focusing on open formats, accurate georeferencing, and structured metadata, the project ensured its models are discoverable and reusable across the European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, making them ready for immediate use in XR applications.

Partners

UC San Diego

Politecnico di Torino

CHEI (Cultural Heritage Engineering Initiative)

GIS Lab

Getty

3juice

Methods

Data gathering:

Archival research and digitisation from over twenty archives across Italy, the USA, Hungary, Austria, and Thailand.

Reconstruction strategy:

A hybrid approach using two "families" of models: a) Still standing: Survey-based models (pointclouds) of existing structures. b) No longer standing: Document-based BIM (Building Information Modelling) reconstructions of pavilions, based on archival drawings and photographs.

Geodatabase linking:

All materials (documents, locations, people, 3D models) were linked into a single connected system using Getty Vocabularies (AAT, TGN, ULAN) to ensure standardized, interoperable terms.

Tools

BIM/CAD/GIS Software:

Used for creating the 3D survey and modelling (e.g., .rvt files for BIM).

Cesium:

Used for verification of georeferenced models against satellite imagery.

GLB Format:

Used as the universal, open, browser-ready format for model delivery.

Getty Vocabularies:

Used for building the geodatabase structure (AAT, TGN, ULAN).

Discover more about the project here.