Thanks to the transdisciplinary collaboration between architecture and engineering at Mandela University, a novel research project is documenting the architectural heritage of indigenous villages in the remote Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, which has never been documented before.

Architectural Technology and Interior Design lecturer Lucy Vosloo operating the drone together with Professor Magda Minguzzi and Chief Margaret Coetzee in the Baviaanskloof area.
In 2023, the University's School of Architecture received a grant from the Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme at Oxford Brookes University programme for a project led by School of Architecture’s Professor Magda Minguzzi, in collaboration with Chief Margaret Coetzee (First Indigenous Peoples team leader) and School of Architecture staff members Lucy Vosloo and Kim Harmse and Dr Yolanda Navarro from the UPV Technical University of Valencia, Spain.
The Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme is a research initiative that harnesses advancements in technology to document endangered wooden architectures across the globe and build up a digital repository of it.
Drone technology’s unique ability to provide aerial perspectives allows researchers to document details and angles that would otherwise be difficult to access. This enhances both the quality and depth of documentation, offering invaluable insights into historical sites, contributing to their preservation for future generations, says Prof Minguzzi.
Despite the exciting potential of this technology, the team encountered numerous regulatory hurdles. South African Civil Aviation Authorities require drone pilots to hold a commercial unmanned aircraft pilot license, renewed every two years, in addition to an aviation radio license.
Drone operations must also comply with stringent regulations, including an annually audited operations certificate.
Damian Mooney and Jan de Jongh from the Advanced Mechatronic Technology Centre together with front Architectural Technology and Interior Design lecturer Lucy Vosloo.
Lucy completed her commercial drone pilot certification in January 2024 to be able to assist with the research data collection. She also joined the University’s Advanced Mechatronic Technology Centre, where she received formal training under the supervision of Damian Mooney to become part of the University's drone operations.
The drone operations play a crucial role in making this possible. In addition to her role as pilot-in-command, Lucy has also taken on the responsibility of quality assurance within the drone operations team.
As drone technology advances, its role in preserving cultural heritage will only grow in significance. This project highlights the transdisciplinary collaboration between architecture and engineering, with drone technology bridging these fields to create innovative solutions for heritage preservation.
By blending architectural expertise with cutting-edge drone engineering, the project demonstrates how combining disciplines can transform traditional approaches to safeguarding historical sites, ensuring they endure for future generations.