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Cultural heritage studies research laboratory

Where heritage shapes the future.

Heritage Studio

The Heritage Studio serves as a strategic platform within the Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory, providing an integrated environment for coordinating, managing, and advancing research, technological, and applied activities in the field of cultural heritage. By bringing together specialized units, including digital documentation, acoustic assessment, VR/AR, field studies, and material analysis—the studio enables a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study, conservation, and reconstruction of heritage.

Within this framework, the integration of advanced technologies, fieldwork, and scientific analysis leads to the production of applied knowledge and precise conservation strategies. Material and molecular analysis, crack and moisture monitoring, environmental impact assessment, digital reconstruction, and soundscape studies are all conducted collaboratively within this structure. Ongoing collaborations with major heritage complexes such as Saadabad Palace, Golestan Palace, and MARMAR Palace demonstrate the studio's capacity to address complex and highly decorated heritage sites.

The Heritage Studio aims to function as a leading platform for advanced heritage studies, fostering innovative approaches to conservation, interpretation, and sustainable utilization at both national and international levels.

Heritage Studio Office

Facilities

Library

The Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory is equipped with a specialized library that serves as one of its key academic and research infrastructures. It comprises a rich collection of written resources, documents, and maps related to cultural heritage, architecture, conservation, art, and associated fields of study. With more than 2,000 volumes of specialized, literary, and artistic books, the library provides a solid foundation for supporting research, academic inquiry, and educational activities, playing a significant role in advancing knowledge and deepening studies in related disciplines.

Library

Book Catalog

0 books

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Acoustic and Vibration Assessment Center

The Acoustic Measurement and Vibration Assessment Center, as one of the innovative units of the Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory, focuses on studying the effects of sound, vibration, and impulse forces from various sources on historical buildings and sites. Using precise measurement tools and advanced analytical methods, the center evaluates environmental impacts on structural stability and spatial perception, aiming to bridge engineering knowledge with heritage conservation and environmental studies.

Currently, the center is conducting specialized studies on acoustic impulses within the Saadabad Palace Complex, examining their influence on the historical siting of palaces, their spatial organization within the natural context, and the feasibility of adaptive reuse. Simultaneously, the concept of soundscape is being investigated to better understand the role of sound in spatial experience and environmental perception.

Looking ahead, the laboratory aims to extend this approach to numerous World Heritage sites across Iran, establishing a scientific framework for conservation, management, and the enhancement of experiential quality.

Device Specifications & Description

In this field research, a sound level measurement device was used to monitor noise pollution caused by visitors in the Saadabad historical-cultural complex. The device recorded simultaneous sound intensity (changes in ambient sound level) and frequency distribution (the pattern of sound energy across different bands) at selected points along main visitor pathways, enabling the human contribution to environmental noise to be distinguished and analyzed. The primary focus was measuring acoustic changes related to visitor entry, gathering, group movement, and conversation in museum areas. Measurements were conducted under three levels of human traffic—low, medium, and high—to determine the relationship between visitor density and increased sound levels and spectral changes. Monitoring was repeated monthly in three sessions over a defined period to record daily fluctuations and compare trends while reducing error from transient conditions. These data enable a scientific description of the 'visitor-induced acoustic pattern' and can serve as a basis for environmental management, noise control, and better protection of museum spaces from the perspectives of acoustic comfort and sound effects on the environment.

Equipment & Field Work

Acoustic measurement at Saadabad
Field work at Saadabad

Digital Documentation Center for Historical Monuments

In addition to its specialized library, the Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory is equipped with a Digital Documentation Center for historical monuments, which serves as one of its core units. This center plays a crucial role in recording, analyzing, and archiving data related to cultural heritage. By employing advanced technologies such as optical scanning, photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and digital data processing, it enables accurate and scientific documentation of buildings, sites, and historical elements.

In this context, digital documentation projects such as the Manzariyeh Caravanserai and the Qal'eh Sangi Caravanserai, as well as projects related to the revitalization of Kohneh Square in Qom, represent some of the center's practical experiences. The outputs include digital models, maps, images, and specialized databases that are utilized in research, conservation projects, and management planning, thereby supporting the development of innovative approaches to heritage conservation and digital reconstruction.

Equipment

  • Laser Distance Meter
  • Leica Total Station Surveying Instrument
  • Hi-Target Multi-Frequency GPS Receiver
  • DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2 Drone
  • FARO Laser Scanner
  • Nikon Camera

Kohneh Square Project — Mr. Salehi

Kohneh Square documentation project
Kohneh Square documentation project

VR, AR and Digital Reconstruction Center

The Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Digital Reconstruction Center is one of the innovative and technology-driven units of the Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory. It focuses on developing advanced methods for the representation, interpretation, and digital revitalization of cultural heritage. By utilizing VR, AR, and 3D modeling technologies, the center enables interactive and experience-based reconstructions of historical buildings and sites, enhancing users' understanding and perception of heritage.

Currently, several research projects are underway, including digital reconstruction and analytical studies at Takht-e Soleyman and the archaeological site of Susa. These projects aim to reinterpret historical structures, reconstruct lost spaces, and provide more accurate narratives of the past, while also contributing to education, research, and digital cultural tourism.

VR/AR center
VR/AR center
VR/AR center

Field Studies and Archaeological Sounding Center

The Field Studies and Archaeological Sounding Center operate as a specialized unit within the laboratory, activated when required in research and conservation projects. It is responsible for conducting field investigations, stratigraphic analysis, and detailed studies of historical contexts. Equipped with specialized tools and supported by professional archaeologists, the center enables targeted soundings and precise field research, playing a critical role in supporting conservation and research projects.

Its application in projects such as Qal'eh Sangi in Qom, the Sheikh Fazlollah Nouri House in Tehran, and the Mousa Khani Mansion in Kerman demonstrates its effectiveness in identifying historical layers, analyzing spatial transformations, and providing essential data for informed conservation decision-making.

Materials, Crack, and Moisture Analysis Laboratory

Analysis of physical material properties (compressive strength, colorimetry, water absorption, porosity percentage, capillary absorption), thermography and infrared examination, moisture measurement, and installation of sensors for monitoring hairline and deep cracks.

The Materials, Crack, and Moisture Analysis Laboratory is a specialized unit dedicated to monitoring, analyzing, and controlling deterioration factors in historical structures and decorative elements. With a focus on material and molecular-level investigations, it examines the composition, structure, and physical and chemical behavior of materials, enabling a deeper understanding of degradation processes.

Through non-destructive techniques, the laboratory assesses crack patterns and moisture fluctuations—two critical factors in the deterioration of heritage assets. These analyses support preventive conservation strategies and targeted interventions, particularly in highly decorated and sensitive heritage complexes.

Ongoing collaborations with major sites such as Saadabad Palace, Golestan Palace, and MARMAR Palace provide valuable opportunities for field-based studies, continuous monitoring, and data-driven conservation solutions, contributing to risk management, preventive maintenance, and a better understanding of material behavior in real conditions.

Materials laboratory interior
Shamsolemare Palace conservation