Investigating the Use of Augmented Reality and BIM for Architectural Heritage: A Systematic Review

In recent years, digital methodologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its specialised variants for historic architectural heritage (HBIM) have revolutionised approaches to the conservation, management, restoration, and maintenance of existing architectures across various scales. The combined use of BIM/HBIM methodologies with immersive Augmented Reality (AR) technology enables the overlay of digital information onto real-world contexts, enhancing data visualisation and user interaction. In these premises, this article explores the integration of AR-BIM/HBIM-based systems within architectural heritage at different dimensions and scales, providing an overview of their principal applications. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted using the Scopus academic database. Following the PRISMA protocol, 17 records were identified and analysed. Outcomes highlight the single building as the predominant scope of application of the AR-BIM/HBIM-based system. This scale of the built environment facilitates conservation, management and maintenance disciplines, supporting users in digitalising documentation and providing diagnosis of critical issues. System of buildings follows as a scope with a focus on conservation, restoration and management, thanks to the development of systems that support the analysis, documentation and characterization of interventions. The least explored application scopes concern building components and historic districts. Despite these achievements, future activities must focus on the possible levels of interoperability of AR-BIM/HBIM models, their continuous updating for monitoring activities and the easy accessibility and unambiguous understanding of content to different classes of users.