The Use of Interactive Virtual BIM to Boost Virtual Tourism in Heritage Sites, Historic Jeddah

Interactive virtual Building Information Modeling (BIM) significantly enhances the preservation and exploration of heritage sites, as demonstrated by its application to the Zainal Historical House (Bayt Zainal) in Jeddah's historic district. This study reveals that integrating 3D reality-captured data—such as point cloud scans—with BIM creates a dynamic platform for cultural tourism, enabling users to engage with historical structures while accessing rich contextual information like photographs, material documents, and restoration records. The research bridges gaps in architectural knowledge by documenting hybrid structural systems (e.g., combining steel/concrete with traditional 'Mangbi' stone techniques), offering a scalable model for heritage management that leverages virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). By focusing on Bayt Zainal—a key historical building—this approach sets a precedent for digitizing and preserving complex, culturally significant sites globally.

Baik, A. (2021). The Use of Interactive Virtual BIM to Boost Virtual Tourism in Heritage Sites, Historic Jeddah. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 10(9), 577. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10090577