In March 2017, Otto Lowe and Pedro Miró spent two-weeks recording traditional buildings in Al-Balad, the historic quarter of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During their time there, they led a training programme at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts/Jeddah.

 [R] Views of Al-Balad, the old quarter of Jeddah

 [R] Views of Al-Balad, the old quarter of Jeddah

Pedro and Otto also recorded the surface of four traditional buildings in the old city of Al Balad. Despite their cultural significance, many of the recorded buildings have heavily deteriorated and their interiors risk collapsing in their near future.

[L] Pedro Miró recording the first facade of a traditional building in Jeddah[R] 3000 photos were taken to record the facade and processed to make this 3D model

[L] Detail of one of the four facades recorded[R] Details of the second facade recorded

The team took more than 3,000 photographs at each site using both photogrammetry and the FARO Focus laser scanner and preliminary processing demonstrates both the precision and adaptability of these two technologies.

Third facade recorded

 

The fourth site recorded

Fourth site recorded

 

 

The team trained twelve Saudi students from the Jameel House of Traditional Art/Jeddah on the basic principles and techniques for photogrammetry, an effective, affordable and easily transferable technique for recording cultural heritage.

Pedro Miró teaching at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts/Jeddah

The Foundation´s team worked with Saudi artist Ahmad Angawi during training and recording

 

Pedro Miro demonstrates the technique for recording with photogrammetry

Students practice photogrammetry

Otto Lowe explains techniques for controling light during photogrammetric recording.

Students practice photogrammetry

As part of their programme, the students recorded a number of delicately carved surfaces and intricately structured wooden lattice work-both hallmarks of Al-Balad.

Photogrammetry workshop in Jeddah

 

As part of the training, students practice photogrammetry