Rebeka Vital (Shenkar College of Design and Engineering, Department of Interior Building and Environment Design, Ramat Gan, Israel)
Architectural survey is an evolving field in architecture that has been affected the past decade by the technological advancements in the field of 3D laser scanning. In order to document a building of cultural importance, one needs to record information about its three-dimensional geometry, its color, material, location, orientation and context. In addition, the cultural and historical background is what gives the architecture meaning and also needs to be part of the database. Digital documentation through laser scanning allows for the recording of maximum amount of data (quantity and quality) of all the various parameters that compose the existence of the building. The database that results from such a process gives a basis for representation, reconstruction and preservation of the building. At the same time it provides for a very detailed database that could allow for the retraction of additional information in the future. This paper presents the digital documentation process and the potential of the post-processing of the information through a case study of a residential building of one of the prime ministers' of Israel, namely David Ben-Gurion. The building is currently tagged "for preservation" and is located in Ramat Gan, Israel.
