William Andrews

3D AND SPATIAL ADVISOR

WILL ANDREWS of Heritage Spatial has served as a 3D and spatial advisor for the St. John’s Online project since 2022. He began his career undertaking a degree in Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Sydney. However, he pivoted his path to Engineering, specialising in Surveying. Will worked as a land surveyor for a few years, gaining a good grasp of the techniques and equipment whilst still being interested in history. This interest led to him undertaking his thesis on the intersection of his two previous educational focuses. His thesis focused on using 3D modelling in the archaeological world and how photogrammetry and laser scanning techniques could assist in documenting an archaeologist’s day-to-day fieldwork. He won the Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Award for Best Undergraduate Project and was nominated for the University Student Project of the Year at the Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Information Awards.

Will spoke at the 2019 SHAP conference on the findings of his thesis, which led to him gaining a job as an archaeological consultant, undertaking a variety of heritage assessments while also being the GIS specialist for the team. His role involved developing digital recording methods, undertaking advanced mapping and managing the spatial database. Will undertook this role for almost three years before realising there is a need for spatial professionals who understand what archaeologists and heritage practitioners require. This need led to him starting his own business to assist the heritage sector with advanced equipment and cutting-edge techniques without the large expenses and long lead times for in-house training. He has since guest lectured at the Australian National University on photogrammetry and laser scanning and presented at the AAA conference on predictive modelling. Will’s love of the spatial aspects of the cultural heritage sector has led to him prioritising them and developing his GIS and 3D documentation skills to a very high level of expertise.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology and Ancient History), University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Surveying) [Hons], University of New South Wales

Experience

  • 2.75 years Consulting Archaeologist, Austral Archaeology
  • 1.5 years Land Surveyor and Laser Scanning Operator, Landair Surveys
  • 0.5 years Land Surveyor, Cardno

Interactive 3D Photogrammetry Samples

Awards

  • WON – Undergraduate Award – Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards (2019)
  • NOMINATED – University Student Project of the Year – Institution of Surveyors EISSI Awards (2019)

Presentations

  • Guest Lecture: Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning for Rock Art, Australian National University, Canberra
  • Raiders of the Lost Arcs: An Expedition into 3D modelling in Archaeology, Australia Day Seminars, Institution of Surveyors (2019)
  • 3D modelling in Archaeology, Sydney Historical Archaeological Practitioners Workshop (2019)
  • Revisiting predictive models in the Sydney region, Australian Archaeological Association (2021)
  • Is Deep Learning Able to Empower Traditional Owners? Australian Archaeological Association (2022)
  • Re-excavating from the Office, Sydney Historical Archaeological Practitioners Workshop (2023)

Follow Will Andrews on LinkedIn and peruse the Heritage Spatial website.