We aim to enhance digital capabilities in higher education and promote innovative learning in CH. Our goals include defining standards and a shared glossary for 3D CVCH models, creating a repository for these models, and disseminating CoVHer ideas in academia and the public. The project focuses on developing practical guidelines for studying, implementing, visualizing, and evaluating 3D models of lost or unbuilt artefacts, aligning with UNESCO’s Charter on Digital Heritage. The methodology emphasizes constructive accuracy, traceability of sources, accessibility, interoperability, and effective visualization. A key innovation is a dedicated digital repository for vanished or unbuilt heritage, distinct from existing platforms by ensuring Open Access and scientific transparency. The repository will serve scholars for research and validation, while also being accessible to the public, fostering cultural appreciation. Finally, we aim to disseminate virtual CH reconstructions standards into university curricula and the public (an important tool in this sense is the MOOC accessible to all), promoting awareness and strengthening European cultural identity.
European Architectural Cultural Heritage is immense, yet part of it remains invisible: churches, synagogues, and mosques that were destroyed or never built. The digital revolution now enables their revival through 3D reconstruction, an increasingly important tool in academia and digital entertainment. These “virtual 3D reconstructions” rely on figurative and textual sources to recreate lost or unbuilt artefacts. Scholars use them to study and represent the past, sparking debate on their scientific reliability. Guidelines like the London Charter and Seville Principles define standards for Computer-based Visualisation of Architectural Cultural Heritage (CVCH), but shared methods are lacking. While EU projects like Horizon 2020 address digital CH studies, none focus on vanished or unbuilt heritage. A key issue is distinguishing scientifically valid reconstructions from amateur models. This project, involving universities and private partners, aims to define guidelines for CVCH creation, documentation, and evaluation, promoting transparency and shared standards. Public awareness is crucial, as movies and games shape collective imagination.