Dr Enkhjin Gombo-Ochir
Research project:
3D Digital Documentation of Tangible and Intangible Elements
This research investigates how 3D digital documentation can support the recording, conservation, interpretation and long-term management of built heritage. Using selected heritage buildings in Maryborough, Queensland, as case studies, the project examines the practical application of digital documentation methods, including photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, point-cloud processing, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM).
The research compares Queensland and Australian heritage documentation frameworks with established English guidance to identify methodological, procedural and implementation gaps. It considers how tangible architectural fabric, intangible cultural values, assessments of heritage significance, data quality and long-term digital information management can be integrated into a coherent documentation process.
The intended outcome is an evidence-based and transferable practice guideline for heritage practitioners undertaking 3D digital documentation. Grounded in the Queensland context and informed by the principles of the Burra Charter, the proposed framework will be designed for
adaptation in other jurisdictions where dedicated guidance for digital heritage documentation is limited.
Researcher biography:
Enkhjin Gombo-Ochir is an architect, researcher and educator specialising in architectural heritage, digital documentation and adaptive reuse. She is currently undertaking doctoral research and works as a casual academic tutor at The University of Queensland’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
Enkhjin holds a Doctor of Liberal Arts from the Marcel Breuer Doctoral School of Architecture at the University of Pécs, Hungary. Her previous doctoral research examined the conservation, adaptive reuse and contemporary interpretation of historic Mongolian Buddhist temple architecture. Her work combines architectural analysis, heritage conservation principles and digital technologies to investigate how culturally significant buildings can be accurately documented, sustainably managed and meaningfully preserved.
Her current research extends this expertise into the Australian heritage context, focusing on the development of practical guidance for 3D digital documentation that can support practitioners in Queensland and be transferred to wider international contexts.
Research interests:
- Architectural heritage conservation
- 3D digital heritage documentation
- Photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning
- Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM)
- Point-cloud processing and digital surveying
- Heritage significance and values-based conservation
- The Burra Charter and heritage practice guidance
- Adaptive reuse of historic buildings
- Digital archives, interpretation and long-term data management
- Mongolian Buddhist temple architecture
- Sustainable and culturally responsive heritage conservation
Principal Supervisor:
Associate Professor Kelly Greenop
Publications:
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Gombo-Ochir, E., Molnár, T., & Gantumur, T. (2026). The architectural evolution of Mongolian temples. Pollack Periodica: An International Journal for Engineering and Information Sciences, 21(2), 161–168. https://doi.org/10.1556/606.2025.01308
Gombo-Ochir, E., Molnár, T., & Gantumur, T. (2025). Contemporary approach to preserve and repurpose Mongolian temples. Pollack Periodica: An International Journal for Engineering and Information Sciences, 20(1), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.1556/606.2024.01048
Peer-reviewed conference paper
Gombo-Ochir, E., & Molnár, T. (2025). A comparative study on the refurbishment of Mongolian historical wooden structures. In T. Molnár, A. Djukić, A. Krstić-Furundžić, E. Vaništa Lazarević, G. Medvegy, B. Bachmann, M. Vukmirović, P. Paári, & D. Ojo (Eds.), Places and Technologies 2024: Conference proceedings of the 9th International Academic Conference on Places and Technologies (pp. 253–260). University of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. ISBN 978-963-626-395-9.
Published conference abstracts
Gombo-Ochir, E., & Molnár, T. (2024). The architectural evolution of Mongolian temples [Conference abstract]. In P. Iványi (Ed.), Abstract book for the 20th Miklós Iványi International PhD & DLA Symposium (p. 56, Paper 16). Pollack Press, University of Pécs. ISBN 978-963-626-330-0.
Gombo-Ochir, E., & Molnár, T. (2024). A comparative study on the refurbishment of Mongolian historical wooden structures [Conference abstract]. In T. Molnár, A. Djukić, A. KrstićFurundžić, E. Vaništa Lazarević, G. Medvegy, B. Bachmann, M. Vukmirović, P. Paári, & D. Ojo (Eds.), The 9th International Academic Conference on Places and Technologies: Keeping up with technologies to achieve liveability, emphasizing human-centred design—Book of abstracts (p. 85). University of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. ISBN 978-963-626-294-5.
Gombo-Ochir, E., & Molnár, T. (2023). Contemporary approach to preserve and repurpose Mongolian temples [Conference abstract]. In P. Iványi (Ed.), Abstract book for the 19th Miklós Iványi International PhD & DLA Symposium: Architectural, Engineering and Information Sciences (p. 98, Paper 37). Pollack Press. ISBN 978-963-626-182-5.
Molnár, T., & Gombo-Ochir, E. (2022). Conservation of the “Choijon Lama” historical temple in Mongolia [Conference abstract]. In P. Iványi (Ed.), Abstract book for the 18th Miklós Iványi International PhD & DLA Symposium (Paper 24). Pollack Press. ISBN 978-963-626-040-8.
Gombo-Ochir, E., & Molnár, T. (2021). The standardization of building design in the domestic architecture of Mongolia [Conference abstract]. In P. Iványi (Ed.), Abstract book for the 17th Miklós Iványi International PhD & DLA Symposium: Architectural, Engineering and Information Sciences (p. 14). Pollack Press. ISBN 978-963-429-811-3.
Doctoral dissertation
Gombo-Ochir, E. (2025). Sustaining spiritual heritage: The intersection of preservation, innovation, and adaptive use in Mongolian temples [Doctoral dissertation, University of Pécs].
Contact Email:
e.gomboochir@uq.edu.au
External Profiles:
ORCID
Google Scholar
MTMT – Hungarian Scientific Bibliography
ResearchGate
LinkedIn