In 2014, Factum Arte got involved in the rebuilding of the ferro-concrete Research Vessel Heraclitus. The Heraclitus Vessel was designed and built by The Institute of Ecotechnics and launched in 1975 from Oakland, California. Since that time it has sailed around the world twice, conducted research about whales in the Antarctic and navigated the Amazon. It has sailed over 270,000 nautical miles through six oceans (all except the Arctic), continuously exploring the ancient tradition of sea people.

This 25-metre long concrete Chinese junk has carried out essential expeditions and captured the imagination of those interested in independent scientific research, exploration and cultural exchange.

After this long period of intensive usage, the boat was rebuilt in Roses, Cataluña. Factum Arte worked with Scan Lab Projects in London to prepare 3D visualisations of the hull to assist in the rebuilding process. A three-dimensional model of the Research Vessel Heraclitus was made from data captured with a FARO scanner. Lauren Canales from Factum Arte then prefabricated new web frames for the boat and took them to Roses for installation. 

In 2018, Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Preservation returned in order to carry out further recording of the vessel. In this instance, LiDAR scanning supplemented the FARO data previously captured and create a more wholly accurate and extensive map of the ship's structure. This 3D model further assisted the rebuild project and the Heraclitus will soon be ready for its new ambitious voyages.

View the Research Vessel Heraclitus webpage.