Ghosts house 'protected' by digital mapping

A digital survey has taken place of a historic manor known to millions as the setting of the BBC sitcom Ghosts.

The detailed 3D model of Grade 1 listed West Horsley Place in Surrey, was created by engineers from the University of Surrey.

The year-long project involved a full digital survey of the 15th Century house, using high-resolution laser scanners to capture millions of measurements.

A spokesperson for the university said it could "transform how the estate is preserved, monitored and experienced by visitors".

After 20 days of 3D scanning, engineers mapped every room and structural feature in detail, even "areas of hidden movement or deterioration that could not be found through visual inspection alone", they said.

"In future phases, real-time data from sensors could be layered on to the 3D structure to track temperature, humidity and subtle structural shifts, serving as an early-warning system for conservation teams."

The spokesperson added: "The work also opens the door to new public engagement opportunities, with the potential to develop virtual tours, educational materials and augmented-reality storytelling that give visitors fresh insight into the history and architecture of the estate."

Dr Marco Francesco Funari, lecturer in civil and environmental engineering at the university, who led the project, said: "Looking after a historic building follows the same logic as looking after a patient.

"You take its history, diagnose problems, propose treatments and then monitor its condition."

He said: "This is the first comprehensive digital record of the manor in its current condition, and a major step towards a full digital twin that could protect the house for future generations."

Ilona Harris, director of West Horsley Place, said: "West Horsley Place has centuries of history embedded in its walls, and preserving that legacy is at the heart of everything we do.

"This collaboration gives us an invaluable new way to understand and care for the house, using digital innovation to help support the long-term protection of historic sites like ours."

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