In the heart of Zurich, Switzerland, a groundbreaking approach to preserving construction and repair knowledge is taking shape, promising to revolutionize how we capture and disseminate craft expertise. Led by L. Crouzet from the Institute for Preservation and Construction History at ETH Zurich, this innovative research is bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, with significant implications for the energy sector and beyond.
The traditional methods of documenting construction practices often fall short, failing to capture the nuanced, embodied knowledge that skilled craftspeople possess. “Conventional documentation methods overlook tacit knowledge, human-machine interaction, and the situated processes of making,” explains Crouzet. To address these limitations, Crouzet and their team are leveraging motion capture technologies to record and archive whole-body movements associated with construction and repair practices.
This dynamic approach to documentation is not just about preserving the past; it’s about enhancing the future. By integrating motion data into digital preservation workflows, the proposed method facilitates the transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), supports repairability, and bolsters the resilience of architectural documentation. For the energy sector, this means more than just preserving historical practices; it means creating a robust framework for maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As renewable energy technologies evolve, so too must the methods for maintaining and repairing the infrastructure that supports them. By capturing the embodied knowledge of skilled craftspeople, this research could help ensure that critical repair and maintenance skills are not lost, even as the workforce evolves. Moreover, the ability to disseminate this knowledge digitally could facilitate training and skill-sharing across geographic and disciplinary boundaries, enhancing the sector’s overall resilience.
The research also underscores the importance of ethical, legal, and cultural considerations in documenting sensitive practices. Crouzet advocates for metadata-enriched, context-aware digital archives that respect the cultural significance of the knowledge being preserved. This approach not only preserves the integrity of the craft but also ensures that the knowledge is accessible and useful for future generations.
Published in ‘The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences’ (known in English as ‘The International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences’), this research is poised to redefine architectural preservation. By valuing embodied knowledge and promoting access to craft expertise, it offers a compelling vision for the future of the construction industry and the energy sector.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and the transition to renewable energy, the need for resilient, adaptable infrastructure has never been greater. This research offers a promising path forward, one that honors the past while embracing the future. By capturing the dynamic, embodied knowledge of skilled craftspeople, we can ensure that the expertise needed to maintain and repair our infrastructure is preserved for generations to come.