WP1: Management and coordination of research and higher education activities
COORDINATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE
WP2: Digitization
COORDINATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE
The three-dimensional digitization of cultural heritage is a crucial challenge of our time, situated at the intersection of documentation, conservation, enhancement, and accessibility. It is not merely a technical process; it requires careful consideration of the objectives, acquisition methods and use of digital data.
Advanced geomatic techniques integrated with GIS and BIM systems are transforming the documentation of historic buildings and museum artefacts by producing highly detailed and accurate 3D models. However, the effectiveness of these techniques also depends on the ability to enrich the models with semantic information to ensure long-term accessibility and interoperability. Different approaches to the digitization of cultural heritage are observed internationally.
In Europe, heritage digitization is driven by open standards and data sustainability, as promoted by the European Commission and the Horizon Europe program. In the Anglo-Saxon context, there is a stronger focus on the practical application of digital models, with close collaboration between academia and industry. Organizations such as Historic England and the Digital Heritage Lab provide guidelines and best practices.
Adhering to the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) is essential for ensuring that digital data can be reused over time.
A critical issue is data quality. Standardized protocols for acquisition, validation and archiving are essential, as is the use of ontologies such as CIDOC CRM to structure and connect information, facilitating its use across various domains. Sharing is key to democratizing knowledge. Open platforms provide access to 3D models and encourage collaboration between researchers, professionals, and the general public. However, copyright and licensing are still delicate issues that require a careful balance between heritage protection and knowledge dissemination. To ensure the sustainability of digitization, strategies must be implemented for updating and versioning data, as well as integrating artificial intelligence to automate processes such as semantic segmentation and extracting meaningful information.
The strength of WP2 lies in:
• the development of adaptable and sustainable workflows, even in high-risk contexts (in collaboration with WP3);
• the dissemination of best practices for 3D modelling and visualization (in synergy with WP3, WP4 and WP6);
• the experimental use of AI for semantic segmentation and georeferencing of data (GIS, BIM, Digital Twin);
• the transfer of cutting-edge research outcomes into advanced training programs (in collaboration with WP5).
The activities of WP2 will be structured around the following tasks:
T2.2 – INTEGRATION OF MULTIRESOLUTION AND MULTISENSOR DATA
T2.1 – WORKFLOW DEFINITION
• Designing specific workflows tailored to different scenarios and scales of intervention.
• Implementing data acquisition and processing procedures with a focus on metadata, traceability, and transferability.
• Development of guidelines and educational materials to support the communication and teaching of the proposed workflows.
T2.2: INTEGRATION OF MULTIRESOLUTION AND MULTISENSOR DATA
• Development of workflows for integrating data acquired through different technologies, particularly in critical or at-risk contexts.
• Analysis of challenges related to the integration of heterogeneous data (multisensor, multiscale and multiresolution).
T2.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL MODELS
• Identification of the most effective methods for managing built heritage information through digital models.
• Definition of protocols for using models in restoration, management and enhancement activities.
T2.4 – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SEMANTIC ENRICHMENT
• Assessment of the applicability of artificial intelligence techniques for the semantic enrichment of models in different scenarios.
• Drafting guidelines for using AI to tell the story of and promote cultural heritage.
DELIVERABLES
The project will produce a series of key outcomes, including: guidelines and optimized workflows for the digitization and documentation of cultural heritage; the integration of heterogeneous sensors; and - a repository of 3D digital models relating to historic buildings, archaeological sites and artifacts, intended for experimental and educational purposes.
WP3: Reconstruction of contexts, management and enhancement of cultural heritage
COORDINATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ROME “LA SAPIENZA”
The sustainable conservation of cultural heritage, in terms of both its physical integrity and its transmission to future generations, requires restoration, management and enhancement to be closely interconnected. This integrated approach is essential in order to counteract the growing pressures of climate change, as well as hydrogeological and natural risks. Innovative strategies must be employed to promote informed and responsible access. Such awareness is the most effective line of defence against anthropogenic threats, which often underlie processes of deterioration.
The proposal's scientific strength lies in the participating institutions' ability to apply their expertise gained from national and international heritage projects to contexts in the Middle East and the wider Mediterranean region. This builds on their previous experience in research, training and technological transfer.
WP3 activities will be divided into the following tasks:
T3.2 – RISK MAPS AND PROTECTION STRATEGIES
T3.3 – STRUCTURAL RECOVERY INTERVENTIONS
T3.1 – HERITAGE CONTEXTS
• Creation of a Heritage Charter as a basis for the classification and monitoring of landscape changes, integrating historical and modern cartography with remote sensing data (Sentinel-1 and 2).
• Development of an updatable geodatabase to support heritage management and enhancement.
• Identification of tangible heritage contexts for risk assessment and monitoring.
T3.2 – RISK MAPS AND PROTECTION STRATEGIES
• Creation of risk maps for cultural sites, based on environmental, historical, and urban planning data, useful for defining risk parameters.
• Selection of contexts for diagnostic and restoration interventions.
T3.3 – STRUCTURAL RECOVERY INTERVENTIONS
• Design of monitoring systems for the conservation status, including the use of sensors and non-destructive techniques.
T3.4 – DIGITAL ROUTES AND ACCESSIBILITY
• Analysis of representation formats to optimise accessibility and Quality of Experience (QoE) in physical and virtual environments.
• Experimentation with certification via digital signatures or blockchain.
• Assessment of the technical impact (storage, bandwidth, QoE, SNR) of different encoding formats.
• Selection of case studies to develop risk assessment tools and enhancement strategies.
• Development of good practices for risk management at local and regional levels.
T3.5 – PROPOSAL FOR A VIRTUAL MUSEUM
• Definition of guidelines and standards for the creation and integration of digital heritage inventories.
• Design of accessible and interoperable knowledge pathways.
• Promotion of cooperation among institutions and international stakeholders for the development of the Virtual Museum.
DELIVERABLES
WP3 includes the development of a Heritage Charter and a digital infrastructure, a risk map of the selected case study sites, reports on the structural monitoring of historic buildings, digital pathways to enhance accessibility, and guidelines for the creation of a virtual museum aimed at promoting heritage contexts.
WP4: Physical and virtual reconstruction for the use of cultural heritage
COORDINATED BY THE CNR-ISPC
Understanding the materials, techniques and craftsmanship that have enabled the preservation of artefacts to the present day requires material knowledge integrated with documentation. This objective is achieved through targeted diagnostic activities conducted using portable and laboratory-based equipment capable of providing a comprehensive overview of an object. This information is valuable for physical and virtual reconstructions.
Diagnostics can also reveal ancient restoration techniques, contributing to Heritage Science research and supporting coherent, well-informed reconstructions. The data collected also feeds artificial intelligence algorithms, which are fundamental to virtual reconstruction. When combined with input from art historians and archaeologists, these algorithms can inform subsequent physical reconstructions based on shared hypotheses.
Reconstruction is crucial when degradation, natural events or human actions prevent a full reading of the work. Integrating the hard sciences with the humanities is a significant innovation, particularly in archaeology and architecture, thanks to 2D and 3D computer graphics technologies.
Virtual restoration opens up new opportunities for study where physical restoration is impossible due to technical constraints, a lack of documentation or incompatibility with previous interventions. Digital tools offer maximum flexibility for simulating interventions and have the potential to print and reproduce artefacts in a manner consistent with their materials, style, and context.
The guiding principle remains the pursuit of the best compromise between conservation and integrity to ensure the transmission of heritage to future generations.
The strength of this Work Package (WP) lies in its synergy with the others.
• It integrates scientific and humanistic skills on a shared path of knowledge and sustainable regeneration.
• It promotes technological transfer through the use of computer graphics and AI in an evolving, interdisciplinary framework.
• It addresses the challenges of reconstruction from the earliest stages, making diagnostics and documentation the common thread throughout the process.
The activities of WP4 will be structured into the following tasks:
T4.1 – BEST PRACTICES AND GUIDELINES FOR CONSERVATION
T4.2 – AI AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY
T4.3 – DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPERIENCE
• Use of virtual technologies for museums, collections, and other contexts, with the definition of best practices for effective and targeted communication to diverse audiences (HYBRID exhibition).
• Experimental activities at the Centre’s venues to launch diversified technology transfer pathways (linked to WP2, WP5, WP6).
T4.1 – BEST PRACTICES AND GUIDELINES FOR CONSERVATION
• Definition of criteria for diagnostics and monitoring on selected case studies, chosen in collaboration with restorers and representative of different materials and conservation challenges (potential outputs for WP5).
• Development of best practices and guidelines for the design and implementation of restoration interventions (potential outputs for WP5).
• Criteria and processes for sustainable reconstruction, with attention to material compatibility and historical-artistic coherence in relation to previous interventions (potential outputs for WP5).
DELIVERABLES
WP4 provides guidelines for designing diagnostic, monitoring, and regeneration interventions, from virtual to physical restoration. It also explores the use of artificial intelligence to optimise processes through Computer Graphics techniques and defines criteria and best practices for an effective and coherent transfer to the creative industries sector.
WP5: Advanced training
COORDINATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE
The main objectives of this work package are to educate participants, disseminate Italian restoration culture and transfer technological expertise to countries across the wider Mediterranean region.
The strength of the proposal lies in the selection of highly qualified teaching staff with expertise in the digitalisation, management and restoration of cultural heritage, and physical reproduction. These fields are well embedded in the academic and scientific programs of the partner institutions, including degree courses, PhD programs, Master's programs, specialization schools and advanced training courses.
Continuity with the scientific activities developed in WP2, WP3 and WP4 ensures the ongoing updating and application of content to representative case studies from the Mediterranean area.
Training activities will be structured into distinct paths based on duration, theme, and target audience, combining flexible and complementary formats: MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), webinars, and intensive in-person programs (Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter Schools), which can be adapted to participants' experience levels, professional goals, and learning timelines. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offer remote access to basic and advanced theoretical knowledge. Organised into thematic modules comprising lectures, quizzes, and digital badges, they cover six key areas of cultural heritage digital transformation.
Becoming part of a network of excellence is a strategic asset for those seeking to work competently and visionarily in the cultural heritage field. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with heritage authorities, museums, research centres and key stakeholders, benefiting from a dynamic environment of knowledge sharing and professional development.
The activities of WP5 will be structured into the following tasks:
T5.1 – TRAINING ACTIVITIES
• Educational planning
• Operational management of teaching activities
• Monitoring of teaching quality
T5.2 – SUMMER/WINTER SCHOOLS
• Educational planning
• Operational management of teaching activities
• Monitoring of teaching quality
T5.3 – EVALUATION OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
• Evaluation of management coordination
• Assessment of the educational outcomes achieved
• Review of any corrective actions for future activities
• Final report
DELIVERABLES
The aim of WP5 is to ensure quality and the continuous improvement of educational activities by defining a study plan and developing programmes for summer and winter schools, accompanied by analytical reports on student evaluations.
WP6 – Digital Creativity and Artificial Intelligence
COORDINATED BY THE CARRARA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The objective of this work package is to strengthen the link between historical memory and contemporary artistic creativity. While digital technologies initially appeared to signal the dematerialization of art, we are now witnessing the increasing integration of physical and virtual dimensions thanks to innovations that enable the physical realization of digital designs. Interactive simulations and virtual realities are increasingly drawing on skills rooted in traditional arts, such as painting and sculpture.
This proposal's strength lies in ABACARRARA's teaching and research experience, which serves as a bridge between two centres of excellence: the Sculpture School, guardian of a centuries-old tradition that defines the city's identity, and the Academy; and the School of New Technologies for Art, one of the first of its kind in Italy and among the most respected nationally.
The presence of a robotic island for acquisition and physical reproduction enables the integration of artistic and digital knowledge, with applications ranging from artistic production (sculpture, design, multimedia installations and virtual reality) to heritage conservation, video game development and modelling for cultural industries.
The activities of WP6 will be structured into the following tasks:
T6.2 – THE CHEDAR METAVERSE: PLACES OF MEMORY
• Concept and creation of a shared virtual environment based on established platforms. A “galaxy” of hypertextual memory sites, shaped as islands of knowledge, populated by rhetorical figures and abstract landscapes. The landscape—where cultural heritage (buildings and traditions) meets natural beauty—will be virtually explorable across time and space.
• The CHEDAR Metaverse will also become a physical experience. Through wearable technologies, digital content will merge with real-world events, combining natural perception with interpersonal communication, enabling an enhanced and immersive user experience.
DELIVERABLES
WP6 will oversee the creation of the moodbook for the digital exhibition, the development of the CHEDAR Metaverse, and the preparation of a report on phygital activities. The aim is to integrate physical and digital experiences to enhance cultural heritage.
WP7: Communication and Dissemination
LEAD PARTNER ISIA FIRENZE
The activities of WP7 will run throughout the entire project and will follow a dual approach:
COMMUNICATION, aimed at presenting the project’s activities, objectives, results, and the roles and responsibilities of each partner, while promoting the project clearly and cohesively.
DISSEMINATION, through Information Design strategies and the integrated use of various media (print, digital, social, podcasts, videos, etc.) to inclusively share results and make them accessible and valuable beyond the academic sphere.
The WP is based on a multidimensional, multi-thematic, and cross-sectoral approach, formalized through a communication plan and a dissemination plan. The adopted strategies will be transversal and adaptable to different scientific and educational contexts, ensuring the effective dissemination of the Research Centre’s activities and the Advanced Training programs.
The activities of WP7 will be structured into the following tasks:
T7.1 – DRAFTING OF THE COMMUNICATION PLAN
T7.2 – CHEDAR DESIGN SYSTEM KIT
T7.3 – CREATION OF A WIKI REPOSITORY
T7.5 – STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES
• Information, training, and awareness activities targeting the scientific community, schools, citizens, institutions, and media;
• Organization of project-related events such as kick-off meetings, workshops, annual conferences, and a final event;
• Participation in national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops;
• Scientific and popular publications;
• Promotion of the advanced training offer (Masters) at national and international level;
• Engagement of schools through multidisciplinary educational activities and materials based on pilot projects;
• Advocacy efforts towards policymakers to support the continuation of advanced training;
• Dissemination activities at EXPO 2025 Osaka, in synergy with digital creativity initiatives from WP6.
T7.4 – DRAFTING OF THE DISSEMINATION PLAN
• Identification of results to be shared (knowledge, skills, outputs);
• Strategies for dissemination tailored to different audiences;
• Definition of indicators to assess impact and generate future recommendations.
T7.3 – CREATION OF A WIKI REPOSITORY
• Design of a collaborative digital environment where information is interconnected via bidirectional links, enabling new interpretative and educational models. Using machine learning, the system will evolve into a dynamic archive, forming the basis for a visual metaverse.
T7.2 – CHEDAR DESIGN SYSTEM KIT
• Creation of a dynamic design system to ensure a coherent visual identity across all physical and digital media. Not just a coordinated image manual, but a flexible, rigorous kit adaptable to a wide range of communication needs.
T7.1 – DRAFTING OF THE COMMUNICATION PLAN
• Definition of a communication strategy including objectives, target audiences, and scientific/educational content;
• Implementation of the plan through targeted tools and actions;
• Development of an evaluation system for the tools and approaches used.
DELIVERABLES
The aim of WP7 is to ensure visibility, accessibility, and the sharing of project outcomes by developing a communication plan, defining a design kit, creating a web repository, preparing a dissemination plan, and producing reports on dissemination events.