Interpreting a virtual reconstruction from different levels of detail: 3D modeling approaches combined with a phenomenological exploratory study

Despite offering new possibilities for the education, interpretation, preservation, and management of cultural assets, virtual heritage still demands more consistent theoretical-practical debates. Under the scope of developing historical buildings' virtual models, the level of detail (LOD) is defined as a parameter that directly affects workflows, requiring time, investments, and specialized professionals. This work investigates how different LOD configurations influence the construction and interpretation of three-dimensional models of historic buildings. To this end, five 3D models with different LODs of a historic building in Brazil were set in an exploratory study that addressed users' perceptions when experimenting with them from a phenomenological perspective. The goal was to identify which elements and LOD configurations of the model were preponderant. The experiment was performed through an online workshop, where first-year architecture students could virtually experience the 3D models created, comparing them to a movie of the existing building. Participants were divided into five groups, one for each proposed LOD, and described their experiences through reports that were then analyzed, considering a list of themes emerging from their speeches. The findings underwent statistical analysis to understand how different themes and videos were linked. The experiment findings showed that (1) the 3D models with higher LODs led to more comprehensive comments on the architecture of the building and (2) elements such as the building's surroundings, the humanization of the scenery, and the temporal depth of the 3D models should be considered in the virtual reconstruction process.