Digital Twin Technology for Circular Heritage Restoration: Kremna Propylon
Onur Birol

In this presentation, I'll discuss how digital technology may assist rehabilitate ancient buildings in a circular and ecological manner. I'll focus on the Propylon of the ancient city of Kremna, located in southwestern Turkey. Using LiDAR scanners and drones, we built a 3D digital twin of the wrecked structure. Each collapsed stone was numbered and classified, allowing us to virtually recreate the structure using a computer software. We used artificial intelligence to match and reassemble the stones, making the reconstruction process faster, more cost-effective, and efficient. Normally, reconstructing such a structure would take months and require cranes and other heavy equipment for extended periods. Our method demonstrates how technology can make the process more circular, reducing overall costs. This presentation will go over the strategies we used and how they encourage circular practices. It will demonstrate how creative and technological methods can connect traditional knowledge to new solutions. Our technique is also applicable in other parts of the world where heritage buildings require protection and reconstruction. By combining digital tools, creativity, and local knowledge, this project supports sustainable heritage restoration. It shows how innovation can respect the past while helping communities and local environments.