Enhancing cultural heritage accessibility through 3D modelling and multimodal access: The Golden Hall recovery project

The digital reconstruction of the Golden Hall of the Earl’s Palace in Oliva is presented as an integrated case-study workflow for recovering lost heritage. Although the late Gothic and Renaissance site was demolished in the 1950s, a multidisciplinary team has reconstructed digitally it using 3D models based on historical documentation from Danish architects Egil Fischer and Vilhelm Lauritzen (1917–1920). The project integrates Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and multimodal haptic panels to foster inclusive access. Specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments, these tools include 3D-printed tactile models, Braille, and digital links. A prospective analysis with the Exclusion Calculator estimated exclusion levels of 13.3% for a conventional visit scenario and 5.6% for the multimodal-panel scenario. These are scenario-dependent estimates, not empirical user data; usability testing with visitors is planned. This inclusive-design approach provides a workflow for recovering lost heritage through technology, aiming to make architectural history more accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability or the absence of surviving remains.