Alessio Cardaci

Palazzo Raimondi in Cremona: 3d survey and diagnostic tests for the knowledge of construction techniques and historical materials

The paper deals with the 3D survey of Palazzo Raimondi in Cremona, featuring a renowned Renaissance façade, first step of a knowledge program aimed to define strengthening strategies consistent with the objective of building conservation. The laser-scanning campaign involved both external facades and the loggia on the court, extending to the flat coved vaults of the first floor, allowing detecting possible deviations from an ideal geometric reference. Non-destructive tests were also performed on materials and structures in order to widen the awareness on building behavior and attempt a first vulnerability analysis.

Keeping the Equilibrium: The Static Aspects of the Restoration Project. The Case Study of the Mother Church of San Cataldo (Sicily)

The Mother Church of San Cataldo (Sicily) has always been affected by structural problems, today still evident. Established in an area characterized by a geological heterogeneity it was over time subjected to restoration work that caused additional weakness. The study carried by the authors of this paper has allowed experimentally use 3D laser scanning to support the analysis of decays and structural damages of this monumental masonry construction, combined and integrated with the essential historical research and the visual observation. The precise identification of building diseases and especially of the causes that determine their occurrence is an inevitable prerequisite for the definition of restoration work targeted and mutually cooperating to the preservation of cultural heritage for the sake of future generations.

Cutting-edge technologies for the survey and documentation of cultural heritage: The case study of the architectural-archaeological area of Aruch in Armenia

One of the most important finalities of survey is the architectures comprehension. To the end of cultural heritage conservation, it is furthermore necessary to communicate the acquired knowledge. In the recent years, this need has resulted in a radical change in cataloging and digitization systems, as well as in telematics networking. Moreover, the use of 3D laser scanner has transformed not only the approaches related to metrics data acquisition and graphic rendering but has also afforded the opportunity to share important information on the web. This paper focuses on the usefulness of state-of-the-art technologies for documentation, presenting a case study related to the architectural-archeological area of Aruch in Armenia.

An integrated programme for the conservation and valorisation of the Tower of Frederick in Enna

This paper is part of a research focused on an important architecture of the city of Enna, Sicily: the imposing octagonal tower whose construction is most likely attributed to Frederick II of Swabia. New studies carried out on this monument, aimed at documenting a still insufficiently known heritage, therefore in danger, and at establishing a coherent conservation project, led to the creation of a large database, useful to formulate and substantiate valid conjectures about its genesis and evolution. To support this process, the study exploited the most advanced digital techniques - such as the projection mapping - to represent and document reconstructive hypothesis, conduct virtual restorations and create multimedia contents, evocative of the historical value of this prized architecture. An integrated programme aimed at preserving and enhancing a precious resource for the benefit of current and future generations.

Diagnostic Activities for the Planned and Preventive Conservation of Mosaic Pavements: The Case Study of the Triclinium of the Villa Romana del Casale (Sicily)

The Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, Sicily is known for the richness of the mosaic pavements that decorate almost every room. They are the finest mosaics from the Roman world and, even because of their exceptional extent, the Villa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Their in situ conservation advocated by Cesare Brandi in the late 1950s, an exception to the typical treatment of excavated mosaics of the time, requires a regular monitoring of the physical condition and the establishment of mitigation strategies, however, difficult to implement especially for economic and technical reasons. In this sense, this paper intends to propose an innovative and user-friendly procedure based on laser scanning and thermo-hygrometric investigations able to assess the tessellatum status through time and to evaluate the maintenance work’s efficiency, which could be included in a long-term and sustainable approach to preserving our ancient mosaic heritage.

Approcci metodologici e indicazioni progettuali per il restauro del Palazzo del Doge ad Antivari, Montenegro

The restoration project of an old building requires an approach based on the capacity of the designer to build a computational model that interprets its constructive history. The Doge’s Palace in Antivari a millenary citadel of Montenegro, results from several construction phases that cannot be properly explained only through the application of mechanics principles. The integrated survey and elevation’s stratigraphic study, important to the archaeologist and the architect for the reconstruction of the building’s evolutionary phases, are to the engineer a necessary tool for understanding the structure’s static and dynamic behaviour. This work addresses the issue of the protection of archaeological sites and investigates the means of intervention on buildings in a state of ruin, choosing to run a project of ‘authentic restoration’ that, by establishing structure’s collapse mechanisms, is oriented on non-invasive/removable solutions, designed to not alter the building’s identity.