Architectural evaluation of historic sites through site surveys in Ningbo China

Abstract

The preservation and renovation of historic buildings have aroused the public concern in the city of Ningbo, one of the most economically active regions in the south-eastern coast of China. The municipal government of Ningbo has targeted over 2,000 historic sites and been working on creating the database of these sites including building layouts and locations. The research team from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, in collaboration with the government, had been working on the site survey and follow-up evaluation of a total of 44 historic sites. This study summarizes the site survey results of these historic sites, including building type, structure and construction materials, repair status, historic and architectural values, and present usage. Apart from the follow-up survey data, the research team also conducted further investigation on the retrofitting of a selected case building. Building information modelling, the newly emerged digital technology, was adopted to visualize the case building. The architectural evaluation motivates the exploration of maintaining the historical value and original character meanwhile improving the existing condition of these historic sites. Modern visualization technologies would be a potential tool on modelling the architectural, structural, and building service systems of existing buildings.