OPEN-ARK

OPEN-ARK lays the foundations for a thematic EOSC Node dedicated to design and spatial research objects, enabling non-thesis academic outputs to be integrated into the EOSC Federation as FAIR, interoperable, and reusable research resources.

During the six-month preparatory phase, the project will establish the governance, technical, and community framework required for future EOSC Node enrolment. This includes defining a clear organisational model, partnership structure, and decision-making processes for data validation, ensuring institutional readiness and long-term sustainability.

At the centre of the project is a comprehensive Project Charter supporting a future Node application. The Charter will specify the scope, mission, governance, services, interoperability mechanisms, and community engagement strategy of the future Node, in alignment with EOSC policies and the EOSC Interoperability Framework. It will also outline a long-term innovation roadmap, including the potential integration of advanced multimodal AI methods for the analysis, comparison, and interpretation of heterogeneous spatial and design research objects in subsequent project phases.

On the technical side, the project will design a reference architecture based on InvenioRDM and related EOSC-compatible technologies, enabling the management of complex spatial and design research objects including 3D data, GIS datasets, and computational workflows. Structured object types and metadata profiles will be defined to ensure compatibility with OpenAIRE and EOSC catalogues.

OPEN-ARK will also develop and validate a Decision Support System (DSS) for semi-automatic validation and evaluation of candidate object types, tested through a pilot use case demonstrating the epistemic, scientific, pedagogic, and motivational value of the proposed infrastructure content. The consortium will deliver a coherent roadmap for EOSC onboarding and future participation in European Research Infrastructure programmes.

OPEN-ARK directly supports the strategic objectives of the EOSC by extending FAIR and interoperable research infrastructures to underrepresented design-led and spatial research communities. The project contributes to the implementation of the EOSC Interoperability Framework and aligns with EU open science policies promoting transparency, accessibility, and reuse of publicly funded research outputs.

By enabling the structured preservation and dissemination of complex spatial and design research objects, OPEN-ARK advances the European Commission’s Open Science agenda and strengthens the European Research Area through improved cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. It also supports policy priorities related to digital transformation, research reproducibility, and responsible research and innovation.

FAIRness is embedded throughout. Standardised metadata profiles, persistent identifiers, open licensing mechanisms, and interoperable interfaces compatible with OpenAIRE and EOSC catalogues ensure that complex digital artefacts, including 3D data, GIS datasets, and evaluation workflows, are findable and machine-readable. Access control and documentation frameworks ensure accessibility and responsible reuse.

For researchers and educators, OPEN-ARK provides reliable access to curated, citable, and reusable design and spatial datasets, enabling comparative studies, reproducible evaluation, and evidence-based planning. Students and early-career researchers benefit from transparent access to high-quality reference materials and evaluation frameworks. Participating organisations gain enhanced visibility within the EOSC ecosystem, improved compliance with open science requirements, and stronger institutional data governance capacities. By lowering technical and organisational barriers to EOSC participation, OPEN-ARK brings creative and spatial research communities into sustainable engagement with European research infrastructures.

OPEN-ARK is designed from the outset as a scalable, federated infrastructure model built to expand well beyond the initial preparatory phase. Rather than building a standalone repository, the project defines a reference architecture and governance framework that can be replicated and adopted by additional institutions across Europe.

Scalability is ensured through interoperable, open-source technologies, including an InvenioRDM-based architecture aligned with EOSC standards and OpenAIRE integration. Structured object types for spatial and design research outputs are defined modularly, allowing other institutions to implement compatible schemas without replicating the entire infrastructure. The DSS methodology will be documented as a reusable framework, enabling extension to additional thematic domains and integration with other EOSC Nodes.

The consortium will define a phased roadmap for Node enrolment and future service expansion. Following the preparatory phase, partners will pursue formal EOSC Node enrolment and explore integration within Horizon Europe Research Infrastructure calls and other EU funding mechanisms, ensuring continuity and institutional commitment beyond the initial six months.

Sustainability is supported through shared governance between the University of Ljubljana and Arctur, combining academic leadership with technical infrastructure expertise. By leveraging existing institutional resources and cloud environments, the initiative keeps long-term operational costs low.

Community growth and promotion will be driven through training activities, academic networks, workshops, and collaboration with European schools of architecture and spatial planning. By embedding OPEN-ARK within ongoing teaching, research projects, and institutional digital strategies, the initiative ensures durable adoption and progressive expansion within the EOSC ecosystem.