Personal Statement
Dr Hord Arsalan is a lecturer and researcher in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital construction. Her work explores how BIM, Digital Twins, and artificial intelligence can be used to document, preserve, and re-present historic environments, bridging the gap between heritage and technology.

She completed her PhD in the Digital Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton, where her doctoral research developed an “echo-based” Heritage Digital Twin framework integrating BIM, semantic data, and community narratives. Her earlier MSc dissertation, undertaken as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the Black Country Living Museum, examined the application of BIM to the translocation and digital interpretation of historic buildings.

Dr Hord designs inclusive, activity-led teaching that connects standards such as ISO 19650 with real-world project processes. She is particularly passionate about supporting students to develop confidence in collaborative, data-driven design environments. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCert) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Research Overview
Dr Hord Arsalan’s research focuses on the intersection of building modelling, information management, and digital technologies within the built environment. Her current work investigates the use of BIM, digital twins, and AI for the conservation and reconstruction of cultural heritage assets. Central to her research is the development of the “echo-based” Heritage Digital Twin—a framework that integrates BIM with ontologies and community-sourced narratives to capture both tangible and intangible heritage.

Her research interests include:

Heritage BIM (HBIM) and digital workflows for heritage projects
AI-assisted reconstruction of lost or damaged heritage
ISO 19650-aligned information management and CDE workflows
Scan-to-semantic HBIM and interoperability
Digital Twins and data-driven decision-making across project phases

She has published and presented on topics including digital twins, Heritage BIM, and indoor environmental quality, and reviews for the ASCE Journal of Architectural Engineering. Her earlier collaboration with the Black Country Living Museum continues to influence her research on heritage applications of BIM.