Bringing the Past to Life:
How 3D Scanning is Transforming the Future of Architectural Design
At the heart of Aberdeen stands St Nicholas Kirk, a building that has witnessed over 900 years of Scottish history. With its towering bell tower, layered architecture, and community heritage, it is one of the city’s most significant historic landmarks and a complex restoration challenge. Now, through an innovative collaboration led by Mill Architects, the Kirk is entering a new chapter of conservation, guided by digital precision.
The building is now owned by ScotArt, a community charity dedicated to transforming underused heritage buildings into vibrant, creative spaces that serve local communities. Their vision for St Nicholas Kirk includes establishing a cultural and social hub that supports artists, makers, and community groups, breathing new life into the historic structure.
To support the project’s investigative and adaptive design approach, Mill Architects partnered with Douglas Pritchard, Associate Professor at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University, to undertake a full 3D scan of the church, both inside and out. Pritchard is a globally respected leader in digital heritage and a specialist in laser scanning technology. His involvement brings world-class expertise to the project and ensures that any intervention is grounded in detailed spatial understanding.
3D Imaging Fly Through of Aberdeen's Union Street created by Douglas Pritchard of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University
Using terrestrial laser scanners and drone-mounted thermal imaging, Pritchard and his students are creating a precise digital model of the Kirk. The process reveals the building’s material irregularities, construction phases, and areas of concern. This forms a vital baseline for repair, reuse, and long-term conservation. The data also allows the design team to test options digitally, reducing risk and unlocking new creative opportunities.
Pritchard’s work is being carried out through a dedicated digital lab at RGU, funded by the Scottish Government. “We’re not just scanning for the sake of it,” he explains. “This is about blending heritage, architecture, and technology to create actionable tools, especially for adaptive reuse. We want our students and collaborators to be thinking about the past and future at the same time.”
His portfolio includes the Scottish Ten Project, documentation of the Glasgow School of Art, Aachen Cathedral, and a growing list of historic sites across Scotland. As a founding partner of the UNESCO Chair in Digital Twins for World Heritage Conservation, and a Visiting Professor at Sapienza University in Rome, Pritchard brings both academic rigour and international perspective to the project.
In the case of St Nicholas, the collaboration with Mill Architects and ScotArt highlights a critical shift in how heritage projects are approached. These are no longer seen as static restorations, but as living, layered environments that deserve intelligent care.