DICOPA: Expanding Architectural Boundaries Through Technology

The Challenge 

Heritage and cultural sites often face physical accessibility barriers—closed rooms, exclusive artworks requiring delicate conservation—and the challenge of connecting deeply with a highly heterogeneous audience. The main challenge lies in translating architectural majesty and value into the digital realm without losing historical rigor, crafting a narrative capable of crossing linguistic and generational boundaries.

What it is?

Project DICOPA (Digitalization and Commercialization of Cultural and Tourism Heritage) is a technological innovation initiative focused on creating 3D digital assets of Barcelona's most relevant heritage elements for integration into sales channels. Through advanced processes, the 3D models are strategically deconstructed and destructured to reveal, highlight, and make the most valuable architectural features interactive.

Main Objective 

To create a highly personalized new product and service utilizing cutting-edge technologies (such as Generative AI) to facilitate the dissemination and acquisition of cultural knowledge. The goal is to elevate the visitor experience, adapting it to individual user needs while seamlessly integrating heritage into modern commercial channels.

Specific Objectives

     1.     Apply highly precise automated enhancements in 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting to achieve architectural hyper-realism.

     2.     Make high-value cultural details interactive by deconstructing virtual environments.

     3.     Generate customized narratives specifically tailored for adults, youth, and children, available in six languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian).

     4.     Establish an efficient work methodology with solid, standardized processes for future digitalizations.

Who Participates 

This initiative is led by the Tech Tourism Cluster, supported and funded by the Ministeri d'Indústria i Turisme, Next Generation Generation funds, the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Ajuntament de Barcelona.

Expected Results 

The establishment and validation of a strong technological foundation of knowledge, experience, and methodological workflow centered around digitalization and generative artificial intelligence. This success will pave the way to extend this premium service to other iconic cultural venues in the city, such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera or Sagrada Família.

Key Project Data

• Budget: €147,000
• Grant: €123,000
• Start Date: 01/12/2024
• Duration: 10 months