HBIM for documentation and adaptive reuse. Applications for the former church of San Nicolò in Ravenna

Historic buildings across Europe increasingly face the challenge of remaining functional while preserving their architectural and cultural value. When original uses are no longer viable, adaptive reuse represents a key strategy for ensuring sustainability and long-term conservation. However, traditional documentation methods based on two-dimensional drawings and fragmented surveys are inadequate for managing the geometric complexity and multidisciplinary coordination required in heritage interventions. Recent advances in digital survey techniques, particularly Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and photogrammetry, enable accurate three-dimensional documentation of historic buildings. When integrated within a Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) environment, these data form a structured digital platform capable of linking architectural features, historical information, conservation constraints, and reuse strategies. In this context, the present thesis develops and applies an HBIM-based workflow for the adaptive reuse of the former Church of San Nicolò in Ravenna, proposed for conversion into a university library. The methodology is based on high-resolution survey data translated into a semantically structured HBIM model developed at Level of Development (LOD) 300, in accordance with UNI 11337:2017, ensuring geometric reliability and computational efficiency. The HBIM model is further integrated with project management tools, including a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule, to support 4D construction sequencing and 5D cost planning. The results show that this integrated approach enhances coordination, improves planning transparency, and reduces uncertainty in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings.