Perspectives in the reality-based generation, nD modelling, and operation of buildings and building stocks

The methods and technologies for generating large area and high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) building and city models offer new possibilities for realistic visualization as well as for multiple analytical interpretations. The major techniques used in reality-based city model generation are considered for their application to building stocks. 3D descriptions of objects are exemplified in CC-Modeller, a semi-automated procedure for value-added data generation from images. 3D city modelling and life cycle-oriented 3D building stock modelling, in particular the combination of geometric and semantic information and related standards, are discussed. The potential needs of building stock research and management and the possibility to extract the desired information from images are examined. Key challenges are the handling of temporal data combined with exploratory visualization, understanding user perceptions at different scales/detail along with time-dependent representations.