In the heart of Singapore, a digital revolution is quietly unfolding, one that promises to reshape how we preserve and interact with our architectural heritage. At the forefront of this innovation is W. L. Ng, a researcher from the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University, who is leveraging the power of digital interactions and gamification to overcome the limitations of physical conservation.
The Thian Hock Keng temple, a historic gem in Singapore, serves as the canvas for Ng’s groundbreaking work. Physical conservation, while crucial, is often hampered by factors like material availability and durability. “Digital 3D interactive models, however, do not face all these constraints,” Ng explains. This realization has led to the creation of a hyper-realistic digital replica of the temple, a feat achieved through Digital Heritage (DH) methods such as 3D point clouds and polygonal modeling.
But Ng’s vision doesn’t stop at mere replication. The digital temple is brought to life through a 3D walkthrough, where classical narrative storytelling techniques engage the audience in a 3-act structured story plot. This gamification of the heritage site offers a unique, immersive experience, allowing users to explore the temple’s history and grandeur from the comfort of their own homes.
The implications of this research are profound, particularly for the energy sector. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and sustainability, the ability to digitally preserve and interact with heritage sites could significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with physical conservation efforts. Moreover, the gamification aspect could attract a wider audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for our architectural heritage and potentially driving tourism and economic growth.
Ng’s work, published in the International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (known in English as the International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences), serves as a case study for future research in digital heritage conservation. As we look to the future, the fusion of digital interactions and gamification could very well redefine how we preserve, interact with, and appreciate our shared architectural heritage.