Altimetric evolution and hidden urban layers: A non-invasive HBIM analysis of the Yriberry House (Arequipa, Peru)

Gomez-Tone H.; Guzman-Monje V.; Palomino Bellido W.; Enriquez-Laura C.; Ancco-Caceres H.; Lerma J.L. · Frontiers of Architectural Research (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.foar.2026.07.016

Resumen

Urban areas in seismic zones undergo repeated cycles of damage and rebuilding, generating hidden stratified systems beneath modern architecture. This article discusses a non-invasive methodological approach integrated into a Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) framework to study the altimetric growth of Yriberry House (Peru) from 1743. The methodology consists of a six-stage workflow combining terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and photogrammetry for three-dimensional recording, the application of Harris's theory of vertical stratigraphy, and the geometric deduction of moisture arc centers on masonry surfaces. The results, supported by a high-resolution geometric point cloud, enabled the identification of five major construction stages. The data confirmed a total accumulated depth of 2.27 m. Hygroscopic patterns functioned as potential stratigraphic indicators for former circulation surfaces, supporting the interpretation of the site's altimetric growth evolution. This transformation eroded the architectural legibility of the building. As a result, decorative details became partially buried, while original entrances gradually transformed into descending spatial sequences. This study demonstrates that the combination of high-resolution spatial recording and stratigraphic reasoning enables the analysis of architectural transformations in living heritage sites exposed to seismic activity.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa