Intelligent Models? Strategies and Issues in the Digital Supply Chain for architectural Heritage

The article attempts to outline a significant path in the development of HBIM processes, in which authoring tools play a secondary role, while the main goal is the definition of a modelling strategy for the existing monumental heritage. Through 4 case studies, developed since 2014 and testifying a line of research in which the focus is on the management and incorporation of significant forms of intelligence for the preservation of the heritage itself, a theoretical reflection on the deep meaning of modelling today and with the discipline tools of Drawing is articulated. The case studies have been selected to cover a wide range of themes and issues that are particularly compelling when dealing with Heritage BIM: from decay analysis with various LODs and grades, to stratigraphic analysis, to evaluation of structural behaviour with finite element modelling. Strengths and weaknesses of the experiences carried out are highlighted and an emerging theme such as artificial intelligence applied to cultural heritage is explored. In the latter area, the potential of HBIM models for training deep neural networks is discussed.