Publications
Occurrence of Pesticides and Emerging Contaminants in the Pampulha Lake: Anthropic Pollution of a UNESCO Heritage Site
A first-of-its-kind study reveals significant anthropogenic pollution in Pampulha Lake, a UNESCO-listed cultural heritage site in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The research identifies alarming levels of pesticides (e.g., imidacloprid and fipronil) and emerging contaminants—including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and hormones—that pose threats to aquatic life. Seasonal and spatial variations in contaminant concentrations point to specific sources tied to urban activities, with caffeine and herbicides like atrazine showing notable fluctuations. Risk assessments highlight imidacloprid and fipronil as particularly hazardous, underscoring the need for targeted monitoring to inform remediation strategies and protect this iconic site.
Cultural heritage management: towards informed decision-making based on integrated hbim-gis
A groundbreaking integration of Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offers a scalable solution for managing UNESCO-listed architectural heritage, as demonstrated by the Pampulha Modern Ensemble. This approach transforms BIM data into geospatial formats, enabling seamless visualization and management in an accessible web database. The study highlights how this framework simplifies complex heritage asset tracking while maintaining usability for non-specialized users, providing a replicable model for global cultural preservation efforts.
Investigação de manifestações patológicas com a utilização de pacometria: um estudo de caso do Museu de Arte da Pampulha
A groundbreaking application of pachymetry reveals critical structural insights for the preservation of modernist heritage. This study demonstrates how non-destructive testing can effectively assess pathological manifestations in reinforced concrete buildings, using the Pampulha Art Museum—a UNESCO-listed masterpiece by Oscar Niemeyer—as a case study. The research highlights the technique's potential to evaluate structural integrity while safeguarding the architectural and cultural significance of modernist landmarks. By analyzing the interplay between solids and voids in the building's design, the study offers a methodologically robust approach to heritage conservation, bridging scientific rigor with the preservation of iconic 20th-century architecture.
Os desafios da preservação do moderno: a atuação do ICOMOS/BRASIL
Preserving modern heritage, such as the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, presents unique challenges due to its recent history, controversial conceptualization, and diverse connotations. ICOMOS/BRAZIL has addressed these through institutional reorganization since 2015, including the creation of a Scientific Committee on 20th-Century Heritage, annual symposia (e.g., the 2018 event on 'The challenges of preserving the modern'), and specific projects like the Pampulha Mission and France-Brazil Journeys. These initiatives focus on developing preventive monitoring systems for sustainable tourism management and fostering international cooperation to study and preserve reinforced concrete modern heritage, ensuring its continuity while navigating necessary changes.
Towards a Digital Twin for Heritage Interpretation - from HBIM to AR visualization
Researchers successfully developed an augmented reality (AR) application for the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, demonstrating the feasibility of using Historic-BIM and digital twin technologies to enhance heritage interpretation. The study showcases a workflow that integrates data-driven Building Information Modeling (BIM) with interactive virtual environments, enabling more effective preventive maintenance, heritage management, and public dissemination. By creating a digital twin of Oscar Niemeyer’s 1940s architectural marvel, the team bridged the gap between real and virtual environments, offering a novel approach to preserving and interpreting historic assets.
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