The application ontology "Building and Furnishing Ontology (BAFO)" has been developed as an extension of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (ISO 21127) implemented in the Erlangen CRM / OWL (version 200717, based on CIDOC-CRM 6.2.9). BAFO classes are recognizable by the letter "K" and properties by "KP" in front of a number.
The BAFO ontology consists of classes and properties that are necessary for the recording of building objects and related pieces of equipment in terms of an object directory. This includes the proper representation of both the simple and the complex, often heterogeneous structures as well as the historical dimension of the buildings. The core entity is the object (E22), supplemented by the BAFO class ensemble (K29) for the groups of objects formed according to artistic, historical, spatial or scientific concepts. The often finely stratified life phases of the objects are recorded as chains of events with respect to structure (creation E65, production E12, reconstruction/alteration K43, restoration K40, destruction E6, and reconstruction K39) as well as to accompanying events (foundation K36, consecration K42, commission K35) and to ownership, change of function, or change of use (use/context of use K46), the latter two often forming the only source layer. Within the object life phases, the physical object properties (material, technique) are systematically recorded, as well as the classification within the subject discipline (subject classification K6, genre K30) and mimesis/iconography (E36). In addition to the core entities, further types are considered for recording persons (E21) and groups/corporations (K16) with their properties (role K14, occupation K14), for geographic places (E53) and finally for historical events (K37) as a link to general history. Together with the group of different object relations (within the building and equipment objects, as well as among themselves), more complex questions can be formulated to the genesis, to life phases, to connected actors and the spatial context on overall structures as well as their parts.
In the sense of Linked Open Data, the existing norm data as well as norm vocabularies are integrated into the metadata. The documentation is available for free download. Further adjustments can be made to the BAFO application ontology. The new classes and properties have been supplemented by scope notes in German and English for the application area of architectural monuments and their furnishings.
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