Digital documentation of modern heritage: Álvaro Siza's Borges & Irmão Bank in Vila do Conde (1978-1986)

Abstract

The digital revolution significantly impacts cultural heritage safeguarding offering advanced documentation and communication techniques. Modern heritage provides valuable research insights for its rich documentary, physical, and oral resources. This article focuses on digitally documenting Álvaro Siza's Borges & Irmão Bank in Vila do Conde (1978-1986), listed on the World Heritage (WH) Tentative List since 2017. Despite Siza's global recognition, the complex design process and construction features of this building are still scarcely disseminated. Hence, this article aims to deepen knowledge and disclosure of this relevant case-study. Research supports documenting its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and tectonic consistency for future preservation. The methodology, framed within the SizaATLAS (FCT) research project, employs combined techniques to document 18 buildings in the WH Tentative List, including: i) archival and bibliographic research; ii) fieldwork; iii) photogrammetry; iv) 360 º virtual tours; and v) 3D didactic models. This framework enhances understanding and dissemination of Álvaro Siza's work while providing relevant documentation for future management.