Thesis: Zhao

Thesis: Shixin Zhao

A Critical Evaluation of Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) as Applied to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Midway Barn

This thesis explores the application of Historic or Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) as a tool for preservationists. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) is extensively used in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) fields, the effectiveness of BIM in the preservation field is still contested. This research seeks to introduce HBIM within the context of BIM and the AEC industry, review several HBIM-related projects, and demonstrate the methods and tools for implementing HBIM.

Looking Northwest towards the SketchUp model (top) and the point cloud representation (bottom) of the Midway Barn.

Data dissemination of a portion of the Midway HBIM model. The component’s information is listed in the table and can be called out in the model’s view.
This thesis applies HBIM to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Midway Barn to assess its effectiveness and determine its viability for historic resource management. The conclusion suggests that HBIM could be a valuable tool for preserving cultural heritage owing to the development of laser scanning technologies, ontological knowledge, building morphology, and increasing interdisciplinary applications.
Contextualizing HBIM: a Venn Diagram comparing the relationship between Architecture and Preservation, and BIM and HBIM.

The workflow of the Midway project.
However, it is hard to claim that HBIM has reached the “critical mass” point for it to become common practice given the unique temporal characteristics of historic preservation that may pose difficulties in the application of HBIM as well as the threats of software developers to exploit this nascent field by using "BIM washing" tactics. Overall, preservationists must evaluate the purpose, scope, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability of HBIM before applying it, considering it as a supplemental tool to the research abilities, nuanced observations, and irreplaceable creativities that ultimately ensure the preservation of historic sites.

Thesis: Shixin Zhao

A Critical Evaluation of Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) as Applied to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Midway Barn

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