CCC help create digital replica of the Villa that played pivotal role in Shackleton’s Endurance rescue.
CCC has been supporting work to bring a historic piece of Shackleton heritage back to life, both physically and digitally, thanks to pioneering work by the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) and the Friends of South Georgia Island (FOSGI).
The Stromness Manager’s Villa on South Georgia is where Sir Ernest Shackleton, Frank Worsley and Tom Crean finally raised the alarm in May 1916 – ensuring the incredible rescue of all members of the Endurance expedition. Now, more than a century later, work has taken place to save this iconic building and share its story with the world.
Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, SGHT and FOSGI commissioned a specialist team of heritage builders and carpenters from Norway and the UK to stabilise and conserve the original Villa. The funding also supported digital experts from CCC’s team who have been working alongside the physical conservation team to create a digital replica which will bring this unique and remote piece of cultural heritage to a global audience.
The team have been using photogrammetry, LiDAR scanning and drone imagery to create a high-resolution 3D ‘digital twin’ of the Villa. This virtual model will then allow people anywhere in the world to explore this historic building inside and out and experience a key moment from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
Art Lewry who lead the digital work said, “The challenges on South Georgia are immense – inclement weather, strict environmental protections, asbestos in the fabric of the whaling station and curious wildlife make on-site work difficult. But it was the experience of lifetime and the opportunity to be involved in such a project is very exciting.”
The Villa will be fully unveiled later in the year. Watch this space for more detail.
