Parametric Digital Twins for Preserving Historic Buildings: A Case Study at L\"ofstad Castle in \"Osterg\"otland, Sweden

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a parametric digital twin, supported by extensive sensor data, can help preserve historic buildings by monitoring indoor climate and guiding conservation strategies, exemplified through a case study of L"ofstad Castle.

Contribution

It introduces a digital twin approach for historic building preservation using multi-sensor data, providing insights into indoor climate management and energy efficiency.

Findings

Identified high humidity issues in the castle's basement and ground floor.

Suggested vapor barriers and climate control strategies for preservation.

Showcased digital twin's potential for guiding conservation efforts.

Abstract

This study showcases the digitalization of L\"ofstad Castle in Sweden to contribute to preserving its heritage values. The castle and its collections are deteriorating due to an inappropriate indoor climate. To address this, thirteen cloud-connected sensor boxes, equipped with 84 sensors, were installed throughout the main building, from the basement to the attic, to continuously monitor various indoor environmental parameters. The collected extensive multi-parametric data form the basis for creating a parametric digital twin of the building. The digital twin and detailed data analytics offer a deeper understanding of indoor climate and guide the adoption of appropriate heating and ventilation strategies. The results revealed the need to address high humidity problems in the basement and on the ground floor, such as installing vapor barriers. Opportunities for adopting energy-efficient heating and ventilation strategies on the upper floors were also highlighted. The digitalization solution and findings are not only applicable to L\"ofstad Castle but also provide valuable guidance for the conservation of other historic buildings facing similar challenges.