On 19 December, a stunning two-meter-diameter wooden zaojing (caisson ceiling) pavilion was unveiled in the Sir Peter Mansfield Building. This intricate structure was handcrafted using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery by 80-year-old master craftsman Wang Shichun, a bearer of the intangible cultural heritage, and his three apprentices.

Simultaneously, a team of UNNC students from the Digital Humanities Laboratory showcased a precise digital twin of the zaojing. By utilising 3D scanning, they created a high-fidelity model over just six weeks. This digital version enabled further exploration using technologies like 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting, demonstrating pathways for the accurate and scalable reproduction of traditional architectural components.

"This zaojing not only preserves the wisdom of our ancestors but has also found new life on a university campus," remarked Master Wang at the unveiling.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the UNNC Education Foundation.

It is the latest milestone in a decade-long journey at UNNC. It began with research on the zaojing of Bao Guo Temple in 2014 by Professor Jing Xie from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. Over the years, the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive interdisciplinary programme, involving over 40 students from architecture, computer science, and business.

Students have gained hands-on experience at heritage conservation sites and contributed to innovative projects like developing a "craftsman database" and modular teaching tools. They are not only mastering skills from digital modeling to physical fabrication but are also reimagining how cultural heritage can be preserved and shared in the modern world.

It is the latest milestone in a decade-long journey at UNNC. It began with research on the zaojing of Bao Guo Temple in 2014 by Professor Jing Xie from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. Over the years, the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive interdisciplinary programme, involving over 40 students from architecture, computer science, and business.

Students have gained hands-on experience at heritage conservation sites and contributed to innovative projects like developing a "craftsman database" and modular teaching tools. They are not only mastering skills from digital modeling to physical fabrication but are also reimagining how cultural heritage can be preserved and shared in the modern world.

The project has already garnered international attention, with invitations to exhibit the digital zaojing model in countries including Bulgaria, Australia, and South Korea. As Professor Xie stated, "We have not merely restored a structure; we have built a sustainable system for knowledge transmission."

This initiative stands as a powerful example of how technology and tradition can converge to give ancient art a dynamic future.