Woodcarving Decorations in Blue Orthodox Churches of the Podlaskie Voivodeship: Heritage Value and Restoration Context
摘要
This article focuses on the woodcarving decoration on the façades of blue-painted Orthodox churches in the Podlaskie Voivodeship – a distinctive element of the region’s cultural heritage. A total of 112 buildings were studied with the aim of assessing the condition of their decorative elements and developing innovative methods for their documentation and conservation. A key objective was to implement digital tools, particularly Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), to support the analysis, and restoration of architectural details. A hybrid workflow is proposed, combining high-precision technologies, such as terrestrial 3D scanning and CNC milling, with more accessible mobile solutions, including smartphone-based 3D scanning apps. This approach enables the creation of accurate digital models of decorative elements, even in hard-to-reach locations, and facilitates the effective reconstruction of damaged components using digital design and additive or subtractive manufacturing technologies. As part of the research, field tests were conducted using a mobile 3D scanning application to evaluate its usability and effectiveness in documenting wooden heritage structures. The tool offers intuitive operation, the ability to generate photogrammetric models, and a view editing function that allows the removal of excessive scan areas (e.g., surrounding vegetation). However, certain limitations were also identified, such as lower accuracy in capturing fine details compared to professional equipment, and challenges related to lighting conditions or confined spaces. The results highlight the growing importance of digital tools in supporting conservation work and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The study also points to the need for further research, particularly comparative analyses of different 3D scanning technologies and mobile applications, to better understand their capabilities and optimise their application in heritage documentation and restoration.