The restoration of Old Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, aimed to preserve centuries-old architecture while revitalizing the cultural and historical heart of the city. The project demanded precise visual documentation, heritage-sensitive monitoring, and curated storytelling to chronicle the transformation for global audiences.
VOTACT was selected to deliver a comprehensive visual intellige
nce and production solution that captured the delicate restoration process with technical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. By combining long-term timelapse systems, drone cinematography, and documentary-grade video production, VOTACT helped UNESCO document and present one of the Middle East’s most significant heritage restoration efforts.
Challenges
Fragile structures required non-intrusive monitoring methods to avoid physical interference.
Dense heritage zones limited access and camera placement options.
Restoration occurred across multiple small sites with varying timelines.
UNESCO required documentation that balanced technical accuracy with historical storytelling.
VOTACT Solution
VOTACT designed a tailored visual documentation strategy aligned with UNESCO’s conservation standards. The approach emphasized minimal environmental impact, high-resolution detail, and cinematic storytelling to capture both progress and preservation.
Key Components
Long-Term Timelapse Capture: Discreet, weatherproof timelapse units positioned to document façade restoration, scaffolding removal, and traditional craftwork, maintaining continuity across months of work.
Drone Documentation: Low-altitude drone flights captured heritage zones, restoration progress, and architectural details with precision—compliant with local airspace and heritage protection regulations.
Video Production: A multi-format video series combining historical context, expert interviews, and before–after transitions to communicate UNESCO’s restoration journey to stakeholders and the global public.
Implementation
Pre-Deployment Planning: Coordination with conservation engineers and heritage authorities to define non-invasive camera placements and flight corridors.
System Deployment: Solar-assisted timelapse rigs installed with vibration isolation to ensure stability and image consistency over long durations.
Aerial Operations: Licensed VOTACT pilots executed scheduled flights to map site evolution and capture aerial perspectives of restoration sequences.
Production Phase: VOTACT’s post-production team combined drone and timelapse visuals with on-ground footage and interviews to create an engaging narrative of preservation and craftsmanship.
Outcomes & Client Benefits
Continuous Visual Record: High-resolution documentation of each restoration phase created a transparent, verifiable archive for UNESCO and the Saudi Heritage Commission.
Enhanced Public Engagement: The final video series showcased the cultural and historical importance of the project, strengthening UNESCO’s global visibility.
Operational Insight: Drone visuals provided project managers with macro-level views for coordination and assessment across multiple active zones.
Cultural Sensitivity: VOTACT’s non-intrusive techniques ensured all heritage structures and restoration materials remained undisturbed.
Legacy Documentation: The visual content now serves as both an educational and promotional archive for future conservation efforts.
Why VOTACT Delivered Results
Heritage Expertise: Experience in visually documenting restoration work with precision and discretion.
Technical Adaptability: Custom timelapse systems engineered for confined, delicate environments.
Cinematic Storytelling: High-quality production that transformed restoration data into an inspiring visual narrative.
Compliance Assurance: Full adherence to UNESCO’s ethical and operational standards for heritage documentation.
Deliverables
Long-duration timelapse documentation of façade and interior restoration.
Drone-based progress footage and mapping sequences.
Multi-format video production: heritage short films, milestone reels, and full project documentary.
Archival-ready visual data repository for UNESCO records.
Client Impact
The UNESCO Old Jeddah project stands as a benchmark for heritage documentation supported by advanced visual technology. Through VOTACT’s integrated timelapse, aerial, and cinematic systems, the project achieved transparent restoration records, elevated global visibility, and a lasting digital archive of Saudi Arabia’s cultural legacy.
VOTACT’s heritage-focused visual intelligence transformed the restoration of Old Jeddah into a documented narrative of precision, preservation, and progress—honoring history while enabling the future of conservation.
