A Scan-to-HBIM Workflow for the Digital Documentation of Umayyad Desert Architecture: The Case of Qasr Harrana, Jordan

Abstract

The documentation and management of heritage structures in arid environments present significant challenges due to environmental deterioration, limited historical records, and the complexity of capturing irregular architectural forms. This study presents a structured Scan-to-HBIM workflow integrating terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), photogrammetry, and Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) for the digital documentation of Qasr Harrana, one of the most significant examples of Umayyad desert architecture in Jordan. The proposed workflow combines reality-capture technologies with parametric modelling to generate an information-rich HBIM model that supports the systematic organization of geometric, architectural, and condition-related data. The methodology includes field data acquisition using TLS and digital photography, point cloud processing and registration, photogrammetric image integration, geometric reconstruction, and the development of parametric HBIM components representing key architectural elements of the monument. The resulting model was assessed through geometric verification procedures and was used to document architectural features, spatial organization, and visible deterioration conditions. The study demonstrates how established reality-capture technologies can be integrated within a coherent documentation framework to support the creation of accurate and reusable digital heritage records. Rather than proposing new acquisition algorithms or modelling techniques, the contribution of this research lies in the structured adaptation and implementation of existing Scan-to-HBIM methods for the documentation of desert heritage architecture. The resulting HBIM model provides a comprehensive digital archive that can facilitate future conservation, management, and research activities while improving the accessibility and long-term usability of heritage documentation data.