Auburn BSCI Professor Explores Cutting Edge of Interactive History

Liu holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Bachelor of Management in Technological Economy from Shanghai (China) Jiaotong University and a Master of Building Construction from Auburn in addition to his Ph.D. in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

In addition, Liu is an Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Safety Outreach Trainer, certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as an Autodesk Revit Architecture Certified Professional. In his role on the BSCI faculty, Liu teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in the areas of construction information technology, structures and safety.

Liu’s research focuses on practical applications of technologies in the built environment, including LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, UAV and BIM. His particular area of interest is the creative use of reality capture technology to not only functionally document cultural heritage but also focus on the preservation of these structures as a tangible and meaningful way to connect people with the past.

His work in developing immersive virtual tours for two WWII vessels, the USS Alabama Battleship and the USS Drum submarine has enabled hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide to virtually explore these historic naval ships and gain insight into the lives of sailors during wartime.

“These structures are more than just buildings, bridges, monuments or ships; they are vessels of memory that carry the stories, struggles and achievements of previous generations,” Liu stated. “By preserving them, we provide a physical link to our shared heritage, which allows people to experience history directly rather than just through text or images. Significant historic structures like the USS Alabama inspire reflection on the commitment, sacrifices and resilience that helped to shape our present, offering future generations a chance to learn from and honor that legacy.”

One of Liu’s current explorations of digital preservation technology is through a National Park Service (NPS)-funded Historic Structure Report (HSR) project for the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, a project he is conducting in collaboration with former Auburn colleague Danielle Willkens, now an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Liu is also committed to digitally preserving the almost 400 Rosenwald schools built across the south between 1914 and 1932 to further the education of African American children. This commitment has recently expanded to include collaboration on an emergency stabilization and physical rehabilitation of Tankersley Rosenwald School in Hope Hull, Alabama, a project funded by NPS that will preserve the school and its history for the community and its future generations.

In addition to his research endeavors, Liu remains committed to creating novel approaches to teaching and instruction for his undergraduate and graduate students. His new course, Digital Reality Capture for the Built Environment, allows students to learn about the incorporation of drone usage, laser scanning and virtual tour technologies for heritage and new construction environments, bringing his scholarly pursuits full circle as he transmits his extensive knowledge and expertise to Auburn students.

One of Liu’s current explorations of digital preservation technology is through a National Park Service (NPS)-funded Historic Structure Report (HSR)  project for the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, a project he is conducting in collaboration with former Auburn colleague Danielle Willkens, now an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

His work on Walking in the Footsteps of History, a body of research centered on the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” civil rights event at the bridge, brings the event to life through the use of photos, videos, interactive kiosks, a 3D model and a virtual reality experience.

Liu is also committed to digitally preserving the almost 400 Rosenwald schools built across the south between 1914 and 1932 to further the education of African American children. This commitment has recently expanded to include collaboration on an emergency stabilization and physical rehabilitation of Tankersley Rosenwald School in Hope Hull, Alabama, a project funded by NPS that will preserve the school and its history for the community and its future generations.

In addition to his research endeavors, Liu remains committed to creating novel approaches to teaching and instruction for his undergraduate and graduate students. His new course, Digital Reality Capture for the Built Environment, allows students to learn about the incorporation of drone usage, laser scanning and virtual tour technologies for heritage and new construction environments, bringing his scholarly pursuits full circle as he transmits his extensive knowledge and expertise to his Auburn students.