Heritage Trust Network’s Network Day is back! On Tuesday 12 September 2023 from 1:30-2:30, Bethany will be taking part in the ‘Ask the Expert’ panel, speaking about the exciting projects that Experience Heritage has taken part in. This event is open to anyone, HTN members and non-members alike. Join us!
For more information or to register, follow this link.
Image credit: University of York
On Wednesday, 06 Sept 2023, Bethany will be presenting her work as a guest to the Step Into Tech programme run by the University of York. Students on the programme take part to learn more about careers in the tech industry and have little to no experience prior. Throughout, they learn things like design, coding logic, user interface and data analysis.
Bethany will discuss her route into the tech world, what Experience Heritage does and how different projects utilise these skills.
Learn more about the programme on the University of York website.
Image by Doane (Yu Tung)
In the digital age, technology continues to revolutionize various industries, and the field of heritage preservation is no exception. Drones, with their ability to capture high-resolution aerial imagery and navigate complex spaces, have emerged as powerful tools for documenting and surveying historic buildings. Drone surveys have had a transformative role in preserving our architectural heritage and creating comprehensive records for future generations.
Uncovering Hidden Perspectives:
Historic buildings often have intricate details and unique architectural elements that can be challenging to capture from the ground. Drones provide a fresh perspective by offering an elevated vantage point, revealing hidden details, and capturing the grandeur of the structures. From soaring cathedral spires to ornate facades and weathered rooftops, drones enable heritage professionals to document these features in high resolution, creating a comprehensive visual record.
Efficiency and Accuracy:
Traditional methods of surveying historic buildings involve time-consuming and potentially risky tasks such as erecting scaffolding or using telescopic equipment. Drone surveys offer a significant advantage by providing efficient and accurate data collection. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced imaging technologies, drones can rapidly capture detailed imagery of buildings, reducing surveying time and costs while maintaining a high level of precision.
Preservation Planning and Maintenance:
Maintaining historic structures requires meticulous planning and regular maintenance. Drone surveys offer valuable insights for preservation planning by detecting structural issues, weathering, and signs of deterioration that may not be immediately apparent from the ground. By identifying areas that require attention, heritage professionals can prioritize restoration efforts and undertake preventive measures to prolong the lifespan of these iconic buildings.
Documentation and Archiving:
Preserving the architectural heritage goes beyond physical restoration; it also involves creating detailed records for historical reference. Drones contribute to this endeavor by generating accurate 3D models and orthomosaic maps of historic buildings. These digital records capture the structure's current state and can serve as a benchmark for future comparisons. Additionally, these digital archives can be shared with researchers, historians, and architectural enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring widespread access to valuable historical data.
Risk Mitigation:
Historic buildings are susceptible to various risks, including natural disasters, fires, and structural instability. Drone surveys enable experts to assess potential risks without compromising safety. By conducting regular inspections from the air, drones can quickly identify vulnerabilities, such as damaged roofs or weakened foundations. This information empowers stakeholders to take proactive measures to mitigate risks and safeguard these architectural treasures.
Public Engagement and Education:
Drones not only aid professionals in their preservation efforts but also facilitate public engagement and education. Aerial footage and interactive 3D models created from drone surveys can be used to create virtual tours, multimedia exhibits, and educational materials. These immersive experiences allow individuals to explore historical buildings remotely, fostering a deeper appreciation for architectural heritage and encouraging support for its preservation.
The use of drones in historic building surveys has revolutionized the way we document, preserve, and appreciate our architectural heritage. By providing unique perspectives, improving efficiency, and facilitating comprehensive documentation, drones have become invaluable tools in the hands of heritage professionals. As we continue to embrace technology's potential, drones will play an increasingly crucial role in safeguarding our past for generations to come. Through their contributions, these aerial ambassadors ensure that the stories and beauty of historic buildings endure long into the future.
If you are interested in getting an aerial survey completed for documenting, risk mitigation, public engagement or otherwise, please get in touch with us today!
This article was written with the help of ChatGPT.
Yorkshire Business Insider has included Bethany in their 42 inspirational Yorkshire business leaders under the age of 42. She has been featured among other amazing business leaders in their Feb and March editions of Yorkshire Business Insider and attended an awards dinner in April.
Experience Heritage has been named a Global 100 winner, recognized as ‘Leading Software Company’ in 2023.
Global 100 each year consists of only 100 of the World’s leading firms and individuals as voted by their global readers from over 163 countries worldwide.
“The purpose of the Global 100 is to provide the readership with a comprehensive understanding of those firms that are truly leaders within their chosen areas of specialisation.
The Process:
The Global 100 does not follow the usual process followed by many other publishers. It follows a very specific, very comprehensive process, not commonly used elsewhere in the industry. Following the closure of the voting process, which follows a very strict format of self-submission and third-party nomination, firms are shortlisted and selected as winners, in this elite group as follows;
Assessment stage:
For each category awarded a proprietary method of analysis ranks winners based on their domestic and international work. This ranking method produces a list of shortlisted firms, based on a very comprehensive set of criteria.
Judging stage:
Once all votes have been received, an independent panel of judges review the votes within each category.
The judges will assess the following in their considerations:
The strategic nature of work conducted.
The complexity of work conducted.
The scale of work conducted.
Whether the work conducted was done so in a speedy manner, and within budget.
Any ground-breaking or innovative processes used during completion of conducted work.
The judges have been asked to focus strongly on the complexity and strategic significance of work conducted.
The above criteria underline’s the importance of the recognition each firm is receiving based on being recognised as a Global 100 winning firm.
In summary, the Global 100 program provides a benchmark of the very best of the best industry leaders, exemplary team’s and distinguished organisations.
It is a requirement for all our programs of recognition to receive no less than 24% in votes from the global readership, currently in excess of 376,000. This policy is applied to further endorse the worthiness of the awards presented and any marketing carried out as a result of the process.”
This event has now passed. Pictures from the event have been added below.
On 29 March, Bethany will be speaking as part of a series of panel talks at the Women in Digital Innovation Showcase at the Sheffield United Conference Centre.
Experience Heritage will also be one of a number of Exhibitors to showcase their products and services to attendees.
“The event will connect with women in technology across sectors for a unique opportunity to share and gain cross-industry learnings. Celebrate the diversity of thought in a unique gathering of the minds and elevate voices. Hear firsthand from powerful unstoppable women about how they overcame the most difficult obstacles in their personal and professional lives.”
To register to attend or to see the agenda, follow this link.
Exhibition visitor tries out the Parlormade Virtual Tour in VR
This event has now passed. If you’d like to watch the recordings of these talks, follow the links below.
Digital Storytelling Without Narration
What tools can be used for digital storytelling?
Digital Storytelling in the Real World, AR and Overlays
Bethany will be giving three talks as part of the Northern Digital Storytelling Festival taking place online throughout the end of March. NDSF is a free event celebrating innovations in digital storytelling.
The first talk she will participate in is “Making a Digital Story without Narration” at 6pm on 23 March. This talk will discuss “What level of unseen curation exists in a non-narrated digital story, and how much is needed? Wayne Sables, creative director and projection artist from the Wayne Sables Project, and Bethany Watrous of Experience Heritage will discuss the art of creating digital stories without narration.”
Tickets and more information here.
The second talk Bethany will take part in is “What Tools Work Best for Digital Storytelling and Why?” at 12pm on 27 March. In this, she, Josh Naylor from HTC Vive, Bronnie McCarthy from BBC Makerspace will discuss “what exciting new digital storytelling tools are now available in the VR/AR space, and what filmmakers are currently deploying in their practice.”
Tickets and more information here.
Finally, in “Digital Storytelling in the Real World - AR and Overlays” at 6pm on 29 March, Bethany and Shreyans Jain from Vologram will discuss “how AR and overlays might be used to explore and enhance history and to enhance marketing”.
On May 23rd, Bethany will be speaking at the Heritage for the Future: East Midlands Exhibition. She will discuss how digital technologies are helping to bring heritage into the future and how integrating technologies like laser scanning, photogrammetry, game engines and XR can help modernise the heritage experience, reveal information lost to time and engage broader audiences.
Heritage Lincolnshire, in partnership with Heritage Trust Network, is putting on the event “to encourage local businesses, community groups, projects and individuals within the heritage industry to find out more about saving their local heritage and how they can support local community groups and organisations.”
If you are interested in attending, tickets can be found on Eventbrite
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