Parliament House: 3D Heritage Visualization and CGI

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Fragments in Time:

Parliament House, Edinburgh:

CGI / VFX Drama Reconstruction and 3D Heritage Visualization

This project was another part of coursework for a MSc 3D Visualization in International Heritage from Glasgow School of Art. It was the final Master Project.
It is a drama reconstruction of events in Parliament Hall in Edinburgh Pre Act of Union. The drama based on Proclamations from Parliament and letters from Glen Coe written at the time. The 3D model is reconstruction of how the hall may have looked in 1680's onwards based on research existing archives.

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Exterior of Parliament House in 1648.

The Parliament House in Edinburgh was constructed between 1632-9. Designed by James Murray, the Kings Masters of Works, in the Renaissance style. It was built on the old grave-yard of St Giles Cathedral which was raised on the north side of the building. Below the level of the Parliament Hall are the Laigh Hall and a sub basement below this. The East Wing housed the Court of Session and the Privy Council.

The exterior walls were Ashlar and rubble with Ashlar dressing . From the model exhibited in the Hall in August 2014, the South and West wall were rendered but no references were indicated. Currently theses wall are bare rubble finish with Ashlar details.

Above the exterior Great Door were stone carving of Mercy and Justice by Alexander Mylne in 1637 which are now exhibited outside the hall in South Corridor. The walls were about a meter thick. The main walls are original but have been modified over the years.

Parliament House in 1648 based on the Etching by Gordon entitled Curia Supremi Conventus Ordinum Regni Scotia, Vulgo Domus Parliamentj, and The Parliament House in Edinborrough (c1648).

Gordon, J (c1646), Digital image of engraved view of Parliament House, Insc: 'CVRIA Supremj Conventus Ordinum Regni Scotiae Vilgo Domus Parliamentj The Parliament Houfe in Edinborrowgh by J.G.' 'F de Wit excudit Amstelodam', Held at Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments Scotland. ID SC721856 Available at: http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/487932/

Main Opening Graphic

Live Footage and 3D Model Composite

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall as a Parliament in late 1680's.

The Hall has a Hammerbeam roof (horizontal beams) which was constructed by John Scott made from Danish oak. The trusses which span the Hall rest on stone corbels which were carved by Alexander Mylne, dated at 1636. Their subjects include castles, creatures and people faces. This is the main retaining feature of the hall which was refurbished in 1985-6, indicated by a plaque in the hall itself.

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall as a Parliament in the Late 1680's.

Pre Act of Union, the Hall had multiple functions as the Scottish Parliament and as Courts.

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall as a Court in 1790.

After the Act of Union in 1707, the building no longer function as the Scottish Parliament and was solely used as Courts.

Based on the image by Châtelain and Gueudeville entittled The Downsitting of the Scottish Parliament (slightly cropped) from 'Atlas Historique' (1720) and the plan by Chambers in Minor Antiquities of Edinburgh (1833).

Chambers, R (1833), Minor Antiquities of Edinburgh. Donald M. Aikem, Edinburgh. P179. General Books LLC. Held at National Library of Scotland.
Châtelain and Gueudeville (1720). The Downsitting of the Scottish Parliament (slightly cropped) from 'Atlas Historique'. Amsterdam. Image held at National Museum of Scotland. Available on: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downsitting_of_the_Scottish_Parliament_detail.JPG and http://www.rps.ac.uk/static/atlashistorique.html

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall in 1810.

In 1805 Robert Reid was commissioned to redesign the building in the Greek Classical Style. The building was also extended to accommodate the new Signate Library to the North of the Hall and further Courts on the East Wing.

Based on etching by Philips entitled Parliament House ( c1813 or 1805), the original sketch by Skene of the back stairs, Parliament House, Edinburgh (1817) and the engraving by Storer entitled Parliament House from the Cowgate (I819).
Philips, N G (1805). Etching entitled Parliament House, Edinburgh. Held in Edinburgh City Libraries in the Capital Collection. Item No 3281. Available on: http://www.scran.ac.uk/ and http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/
Skene, J (1817), Original sketch of Back of Parliament House. Held in Edinburgh City Libraries in the Capital Collection. Item No 598. Available on: http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/
Storer, H S (1819), Engraving entitled Parliament House from the Cowgate. Held in Edinburgh City Libraries in the Capital Collection. Item No 3300. Available on: http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall in 1819-20

The building under went further changes in 1819-21 by redesigns Elliot in Gothic Style. It was extended on the South side to accommodate further Law Courts.

Based on the Etching by Philips entitled Parliament House.

Philips, N G (1805). Etching entitled Parliament House, Edinburgh. Held in Edinburgh City Libraries in the Capital Collection. Item No 3281. Available on: http://www.scran.ac.uk/

The 3D VFX / CGI Visualization of the Interior Parliament Hall in 1821

Based on the etching by G B Smith of The Parliament House (1848).

Smith, G B (1848), The Parliament House, Edinburgh, Held in Edinburgh City Libraries in the Capital Collection. Item No 3293. Available on: http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/i