Virtual Reconstruction of Viennese Synagogues: Sustainable 3D Models

Abstract

Computer-aided reconstruction of no-longer existent synagogues amounts to a “virtual comeback”. Irreversible destruction having removed iden-tity-establishing buildings from the urban surface forever is the principal reason for re-creating them by imagination. Following the destruction of the so-called “Reichskristall-Night” of November 1938 the synagogues of the Jewish community in Vienna will only survive by means of virtual reconstruction. 60 years later, in the commemorative year of 1998 the first synagogue reconstruction was initiated. The medium-range goal, however, aims at the reconstruction of at least ten further synagogues within a project to be carried out in stages over a period of several years. Changes in personnel also call for a structure to be tracked down later on. This contribution deals with handling of modeling in a systematic manner taking into consideration software fluctuations aiming at a traceable data structure being of importance for subsequent use and following-up work.