Photogrammetry in Architecture

Norwegian Stave churches were built by Christian Vikings nearly a millennia ago. They were master shipbuilders and utilized large columns (staves) to support boat-like ribbed structures. These complex forms made ideal test subjects for Autodesk’s new photogrammetry software beta, which utilizes photography to extract quantifiable information from physical objects.

I documented several churches in this manner while in Norway, taking dozens of overlapping photos from a variety of angles. In about 20 minutes and without a drone, I had gathered enough information to generate accurate 3D models of entire buildings with software meant to document small objects. These models produced orthogonally projected site plans that I never left the ground to capture, and elevations that overcame photographic perspective. Architectural applications of this process are endless, and honing this technique could greatly simplify surveying in the future. The logical next step is using this method to recreate historic structures or objects.