Virtual Preservation: A Case Study of the Guangzhou Canning Factory and the Role of 3D Virtual Models in Public Perception
Abstract
The Guangzhou Canning Factory is a typical example of Chinese contemporary industrial heritage. Established in 1956 through a collaboration between the former Soviet Union and China, it was the largest canning factory in Asia at that time. In 2008, due to its own production needs, the canning factory was relocated to the Conghua district, and the former site was abandoned. In 2009, the factory leased its old building to a company and cooperated with it to set up a creative area—the ‘HongZhuan Factory’ Art Area. However, in 2013, due to the launch of the Guangzhou City Project, the ‘HongZhuan Factory’ Art Area was placed on the demolition list. At present, part of the factory has been demolished, and the remaining demolition work is still in progress. In this context, it is difficult but essential to display and interpret the heritage site. Therefore, I choose this site as a case study and aim to achieve the following:
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Build 3D models with different styles for the site.
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Examine the value of using 3D models to spread knowledge about the site.
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Investigate how the features of different kinds of virtual models affect the general perception of the site by the public.