Marcello Balzani

Reshaping the Coliseum in Rome: An Integrated Data Capture and Modeling Method at Heritage Sites

The paper describes the process of building Internet‐transmittable, 3‐D digital virtual models of ancient heritage monuments from on‐site data, focusing especially on 3‐D dimensional data acquisition techniques and color processing methods. Section 1 considers project goals and the attendant problems; Section 2 provides a brief summary of state‐of‐the‐art experience and the technologies adopted by the Authors; Section 3 illustrates the key features of the 3‐D color data acquisition methods used as well as the shape and color processing pipeline; Section 4 describes the specific study conducted on single elements and faades of the Coliseum in Rome, while Section 6 outlines future work.

Digital representation and multimodal presentation of archeological graffiti at Pompei

Graffiti is a special form of art which gives us important knowledge on culture and social life of a lost civilization. Unfortunately, they are usually engraved on soft and non durable materials. The project described here originated from the request for a new approach to the preservation, study and ubiquitous access to Pompeis graffiti. A multidisciplinary team was setup to design a new methodology to support the digital acquisition, the study and the presentation to the public of this peculiar type of Cultural Heritage. We have investigated the use of 3D scanning technologies and graphics modelling to produce accurate digital reconstructions and to enhance them for an improved readability. The specific issues have been considered and ad hoc solutions have been devised. In terms of presentation, we have provided both visual media (interactive visualization) and physical reproduction, obtained by adopting modern rapid reproduction techniques. The work described is a sort of preliminary feasibility study: we are now planning to apply this methodology on a much wider scale at Pompei.

A 3D Laser Scanner Model as Virtual Database for Integrated Analyses

— Some recent experiences of integrated analyses based on the use of 3D laser scanning and related 3D models will be presented. In the first place the idea of a 3D model as a multipurpose virtual database will be focused in relation to specific case studies where the contributions of surveyors, historians, engineers and restorers are tightly related to one another. Applications will concern monuments, historical buildings and landscapes.

Digital Memory and Integrated Data Capturing: Innovations for an Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe Through 3D Semantic Modelling.

Starting from different applications in 3D integrated laser scanner survey of heritage buildings and sites, this chapter will illustrate advanced procedures in 3D surveying and modelling of complex buildings, focusing on the ongoing European project “INCEPTION—Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling”, funded by the EC within the Programme Horizon 2020. The project methodology proposes the enhancement of efficiency in 3D data capturing methodologies, procedures and devices beyond current standards, especially as regards their suitability and aptitude for tangible cultural assets, characterized by nonconventional features, locations and geometries. Within the overall documentation process, the semantic enrichment of 3D models will enable an inclusive approach for accessing and understanding European cultural heritage through digital documentation.

Digital Morphometric Survey for Documentation, Conservation and Restoration Works: The MUDI Project

The MUDI project, the restoration works for the new Museo degli Innocenti in Florence, is one of the most advanced examples of the opportunities offered by the high accuracy of the digital morphometric survey technique for the development of investigation processes, monitoring procedures and restoration works in plans aimed at preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation of historical buildings and structures. The digitalization of the “geometric memory” of the Renaissance building by Brunelleschi offers new approaches to studying, documenting, preserving, managing and communicating the architecture and its contents, not least the artistic collections and historical archive. Starting from metric knowledge, integrated design and data management also allow new design and technological integration so as to enhance architectural spaces and accessibility; the Museo degli Innocenti is now an important example of a virtuous path towards the future of heritage conservation, enhancement and dissemination.

3D Data Acquisition and Modelling of Complex Heritage Buildings

The ongoing EU funded project “INCEPTION – Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling” proposes a workflow aimed at the achievements of efficient 3D digitization methods, post-processing tools for an enriched semantic modelling, web-based solutions and applications to ensure a wide access to experts and non-experts. Nevertheless, the generation of high quality 3D models can still be very time-consuming and expensive, and the outcome of digital reconstructions is frequently provided in formats that are not interoperable, and therefore cannot be easily accessed. This challenge is even more crucial for complex architectures and large heritage sites, which involve a large amount of data to be acquired, managed and enriched by metadata. In order to face these challenges and to start solving the issues of the large amount of captured data and time-consuming processes in the production of 3D digital models, an Optimized Data Acquisition Protocol (DAP) has been set up. The purpose is to guide the processes of digitization of Cultural Heritage, respecting needs, requirements and specificities of cultural assets, by dealing with issues such as time-consuming processes and limited budget available for 3D documentation, accuracy of 3D models, integration of metadata and semantics into the 3D model and links with multimedia information. The DAP can be followed during the planning and performing of a 3D laser scanner survey of Cultural Heritage, and it is referred to architectural, archaeological, urban and site scales.

Chair_ludus : Re-drawing the Gerrit Rietveld Chairs

The Berlin and Red Blue Chair designed by Gerrit Rietveld have been subject of academic study. They are a symbol of Neoplasticism and De Stijl, with a powerful compositional synthesis of geometric and chromatic modulations. For these reasons the chairs became the starting point of an interpretive path at University level linked to space (metaphor of the dihedral of Monge) and to the relation concerning body (in its postural and behavioural logics) and perception (between synaesthesia and symbol). A gaming path has been conceived by means of understanding activities (design/survey) and directly dealing with the shape: this means analysing objects by their physical rebuilding in laboratory models. Starting from the rebuilt model it is possible to develop the metamorphosis of the chair. In this way “cult chairs” become playful components able to activate manipulative actions, acting as chance of exploration of space, shape, surface and the relationship with the body and its vocations. At the end of the course the playful act of conceptual metamorphosis has shown as it is possible to produce new creative actions that could enable the students to reap the benefits of their creative language and social behaviours.

Urban Space and Places of Memory: The Survey as a Tool for Investigating the Process of Transformation

In the broader context of the survey and digital documentation of the urban scene, which applies traditional and advanced methodologies integrated, the metric-morphological data analysis and its representation can be assumed as an interesting research opportunity on processes of urban space modification. The topic of survey and representation of urban spaces is dealt with as a conservative action and as a tool for the protection of heritage and memory. The 3D laser scanner technology, which allows quantitative and qualitative surveys, allows to set up metric-morphological data in databases and to access, over time, to the “geometric memory” of architectures and urban spaces as a tool for knowledge, research, or as a basis for conservation and restoration works. The research, focused on the survey of urban spaces and places of memory, is the result of several experiments on historical contexts made in recent years, and resulted in the latest integrated three-dimensional survey of the public space of “Largo della Memoria”, in the city centre of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main purpose was to define a methodology for documenting urban space in anticipation of restoration and conservation interventions, by enhancing the preservation of the “urban memory”.

Lo spazio architettonico in un Protocollo per il rilievo 3D integrato finalizzato alla documentazione, rappresentazione e conservazione del patrimonio culturale

Architectural space becomes the connective fabric for the creation of a protocol for optimizing 3D documentation of cultural heritage. The methodology set as a priority the unconventional features/geometries, unique and complex within heritage, avoiding the ‘segmentation’ of the acquired data and facilitating data access and use through an inclusive approach. The elaboration of the protocol for the advancement of data management processes is part of the INCEPTION project, Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling, coordinated by the Department of Architecture of the University of Ferrara and funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 program. The project is currently ongoing, and approaching the end of the second year of development. Future actions are related to the practical application of the holistic digital documentation procedure and of the optimized 3D data acquisition protocol of nine selected case studies in six European countries. The selected sites are representative of different types of cultural heritage assets, for the implementation of the methodology and necessary tools, based on criteria that cover different historical periods, a wide range of sizes and morphologies, different states of conservation, environmental conditions and various risk factors. Planned test-beds in significant heritage sites will allow validation of the documentation methodology, the necessary tools in terms of access and interaction with the3D digital model and the different outcomes based on an inclusive access by different users of semantic models.

Chair_Ludus & Zoo_Ludus Metamorphosis of Objects through Survey and Drawing Techniques

The playful experience described by this contribution has been developed through a suvey/drawing path that emphasized the young students need for direct contact with shapes and materials. The activities carried out concerned two kinds of objects, chairs designed by Gerrit Rietveld (Berlin and Red-Blue) and toys of the company Sevi. The objects have been surveyed and studied through a playful act to reach its formal and conceptual metamorphosis that produced new inventive actions. The ludus experience enabled the development of analytical and experimental actions, taking advantage of the spirit of social adaptation and creative language of the students.