Virtual reality in restoration of historic buildings: 3d model projection of the restoration project of Alaca Imaret Câmi with intuitive and interactive application through hyper realism technology

This paper presents a new approach in restoration study, a digital application of 3d model projection with intuitive and interactive use, through hyper-realism technology, applied in a virtual reality based restoration project and in the reconstruction of the original form and function of a religious monument, of the Alaca Imaret Câmi, a mosque in Thessaloniki (North Greece). The complete study of this historic building is based on a doctorate thesis, focused on the sedulous research of the monument itself. The presentation deals with new and very recently developed digital technologies, utilized in representing a virtual reality view of our cultural heritage. The 3d model projection, realized through brand new audiovisual systems, will soon permit the expansion of 3d virtual restoration and hyper-realistic “touch” of a virtual space, in many applications, while the most interesting of them, is the cultural heritage. The presentation - through web cam projection - of this paper, intents to show the successful results of using high technologies in the field of restoration but also in the creation as a virtual reality of the original form and function of a historic monument. The application of the new method proposed, applied in Alaca Imaret Câmi, which is used as a case study monument, becomes more interesting, when the monument itself, acts as a unique witness of a historic past or represents another culture, completely different from the context of the modern city. This is a complicated problem that becomes obvious in the way of materializing a restoration study and also in a project of revival of the initial use of a monument. While using the 3d application, the visitor can learn all about the history of a monument, through an interactive experience. Thit gives him the opportunity to learn in a more detailed way the history of the monument, as no other way or no other method could succeed it. At the same time, the whole project is- - reversible and ready to amplify the new archive information or audiovisual material. As a case study for these 3d model digital applications, is chosen the mosque of Alaca Imaret Câmi - an almost abandoned monument, situated in the historic center of the city of Thessaloniki - not only because of its unique architecture and religious use but mostly because of its great importance in the history of the city.