3D Digital Twin Scans for Heritage and Conservation
Non-invasive documentation for churches, listed buildings, monuments, museums and industrial heritage. Drone photogrammetry, SLAM LiDAR and 3DGS visualisations for quicker decisions, safer access and better evidence.
Preserving history with drone technology
Heritage conservation is evolving with the advent of 3D Digital Twin technology, enabling accurate, immersive, and data-rich documentation of historical sites and artifacts. Using advanced drone Photogrammetry and 3DGS (Gaussian Splatting), we create highly detailed three-dimensional virtual replicas of heritage assets, facilitating their analysis, preservation, and public engagement.
What is a 3D digital twin for heritage and conservation?
A 3D Digital Twin is a virtual high-fidelity model of a historical site or artifact, generated using aerial drone photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques. These digital replicas allow for:
- Comprehensive analysis of architectural details.
- Remote condition monitoring of fragile or inaccessible structures.
- Virtual restoration and preservation planning.
- Educational and public engagement through interactive visualisation.
- Disaster recovery support, ensuring accurate records for potential restorations.
Drone-based photogrammetry and 3D modelling provide a non-invasive, highly accurate alternative to traditional survey methods.
Church Quinquennial Survey (QI) Support
Church of England churches require a quinquennial inspection every five years. We work alongside your inspecting architect and PCC to supply high-resolution external and internal survey data—making QI reporting faster, safer and better evidenced.
How we can help:
- External envelope:
Drone-based close visual inspection of roofs, rainwater goods, parapets, buttresses, towers/spires, tracery and masonry with geo-tagged high resolution imagery.
- Internal spaces:
SLAM-based LiDAR ground scanning to capture a rich and fully immersive photorealistic 3D representation of the internal space.
- 3D deliverables:
- Photogrammetry meshes and textured models for material condition review
- 3DGS (Gaussian Splat) visualisations for photo realistic, immersive viewing of interiors
- Scaled External Orthographic Elevations
- Evidence for the QI report:
Condition annotations by element, priority grading (e.g., urgent/within 12 months/5-year plan), and measured visuals suitable for inclusion as QI appendices.
- Access & safety:
Minimise working at height and disruptive scaffolds while improving coverage of inaccessible areas.
Note: A quinquennial inspection must be undertaken by a suitably qualified professional under your diocese’s scheme. We support that process by supplying structured survey data and visuals for the inspecting architect and PCC.
Who We Help
- Conservation architects & surveyors (QI, fabric reports, consent packs) -
Church Blog Article
- Structural engineers (deformation, movement, monitoring)
- PCCs, dioceses & trusts (church quinquennial support)
- Archaeologists & heritage officers (recording & phasing)
- Curators & museums (object/gallery digitisation)
- Insurers & loss adjusters (incident documentation)
We also carry out conventional high-level building inspections on all commercial and industrial buildings - READ MORE
St Peter and St Paul's Church - Dry Drayton - Cambridgeshire
St Peter and St Paul's Church in Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire, is a historic parish church with origins dating back to the 13th century. Built in the Gothic style, the church features a medieval tower, a nave with 14th-century arcades, and later Perpendicular-style windows. The church underwent restorations in the 19th century, preserving its historic character while adapting to modern needs.
Inside, notable features include a 15th-century font, remnants of medieval wall paintings, and several memorials to local families. The churchyard contains historic gravestones, adding to its heritage significance.
All Saints Church - Covington - Huntingdon
All Saints’ Church in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. The current building primarily dates from the 15th century, though earlier churches may have stood on the site. Built in the Perpendicular Gothic style, it features a striking west tower, large clerestory windows, and elegant stonework.
The church underwent significant restorations in the 19th century, preserving its historic features while accommodating modern congregational needs. Inside, it houses notable memorials, including tributes to prominent local figures, and a finely crafted font.
Church of St James Ruins - Bawsey - Kings Lynn
The hauntingly beautiful ruins of St. James' Church in Bawsey, near King's Lynn, stand as a testament to centuries of history, resilience, and mystery. Perched on an elevated site that once overlooked an estuary of the Gaywood River, the church dates back to the early 12th century and is believed to have originally been a Late Saxon minster.
The site’s rich past, coupled with its striking architectural remnants, made it an ideal candidate for our latest 3D modeling project. Using state-of-the-art drone technology, we meticulously captured high-resolution aerial imagery to create an accurate and immersive digital reconstruction of the ruins.
Bawsey was once a thriving medieval village, but as the landscape changed and water levels receded, its population dwindled. By 1517, the church was likely no longer in use, and records suggest it had already fallen into ruin by the late 18th century. Today, the site consists of imposing stone walls, a towering Norman archway, and remnants of a central bell tower, all constructed from locally sourced carrstone, flint, and limestone.
The church gained wider attention in 1998 when the ‘Time Team’ television programme conducted an excavation, unearthing a female skeleton with evidence of cranial injuries. Initial theories speculated she might have been a victim of a Viking raid, but further analysis suggested that the wounds resulted from an ancient surgical procedure known as trephination, performed over 1,300 years ago.
Church Quinquennial Survey FAQ
What is a Church Quinquennial Survey (Quinquennial Inspection, QI)?
A quinquennial inspection is a five-yearly condition survey of a church’s fabric. It’s carried out by a suitably qualified inspecting architect/surveyor under your diocese’s scheme.
We support the process by supplying structured survey data (drone imagery, orthomosaics, point clouds, 3D models) that the inspecting architect can incorporate into the QI report.
Do you carry out the QI itself?
No—we support the appointed QI professional and PCC with high-quality survey evidence. Your inspecting architect/surveyor remains responsible for the statutory inspection and the report’s findings.
How does your work help with a quinquennial inspection?
We provide comprehensive external (roofs, towers/spires, parapets, rainwater goods, masonry) and internal (naves, chancels, aisles, galleries, voids) coverage with geo-referenced imagery, orthomosaics, point clouds, and 3D models. We can tag defects and priority-grade issues to map cleanly into the QI report (e.g., urgent / 12 months / 5-year plan).
Do you need scaffolding or cherry pickers?
No. Drones and internal SLAM scanning significantly reduce the need for expensive and disruptive access equipment. Where temporary access is essential (e.g., below a delicate ceiling), we’ll advise.
Is drone flying over churchyards safe and legal?
Yes—operations are conducted by qualified pilots under our CAA permissions and insurance, with a site-specific risk assessment and method statement (RAMS). We plan flight paths to avoid congregation/public areas and schedule around services and events.
What permissions do you handle?
- Landowner permission (PCC/diocese/churchwarden)
- Airspace checks/NOTAMs and local constraints
- Heritage sensitivities coordination (as needed with your architect, DAC, or local authority)
We liaise with your team to make the process straightforward.
How long does a survey take?
Smaller churches are often completed in half a day to one day on site; larger or complex sites may require 1–2 days. Processing/QA follows promptly and we deliver in staged milestones if helpful.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on size, access complexity, deliverables and whether you need QI-ready annotation. We’ll scope a fixed price once we review basic details (location, photos, tower/spire, desired outputs).
What area do you cover?
We’re based in Cambridge and operate across the UK. Travel and scheduling are planned to minimise disruption and cost.
Do you work on non-church heritage sites?
Absolutely—abbeys, halls, listed houses, bridges, monuments and archaeological sites. The same methods apply, with deliverables tailored to conservation teams.
Our public 3D digital twin database
We are collaborating with both local and national heritage custodians to develop a publicly accessible archive of 3D models. This database will serve as a valuable resource for educators, tourists, and researchers, providing an interactive and immersive way to explore and preserve historical and cultural landmarks.
We are currently accepting requests for 3D scans of large heritage buildings. If you would like a site to be digitally preserved, please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and arrange a scan.