Romolo Continenza

HBIM for the Archaeology of Standing Buildings: Case Study of the Church of San Cipriano in Castelvecchio Calvisio (L’Aquila, Italy)

This paper describes the application of a BIM (Building Information Modelling) process to a medieval building analysed through the most classic tool of architectural archaeology, namely the stratigraphic analysis of structures. The case study, conducted by a multi-disciplinary team, attempts to shed light on the procedure’s strong points and shortcomings, and to widen the range of digital tools employed during the preparatory stages of restoration projects. The ultimate aim is to acquire in-depth knowledge of the asset and the history of its construction through the integration of documentary sources and on-site material findings, with the firm belief that proper data analysis and processing may lead to correct decisions concerning the asset’s conservation and enjoyment.

The Conques Masia Restoration Project

Masies are an archetypal feature of the landscape of Catalonia. A masia is a farm building (the Catalan word mas means land). Masies date from the end of the feudal period. Over time, the status of the farmer (the masover) who worked the masia’s land would progress from that of a feudal serf to that of a manager, a custodian of an estate on which his and his family’s wellbeing would ultimately depend. The Conques masia has a long history: it first appears in written records dating from 1403, though its existence certainly dates back further. Nowadays, it is used by a wine-producing company, Mas Rodo. The aim of the restoration project is for Mas Rodo to be able to use it for tourism: it will house a hotel, a restaurant and a small Spa.

Cultural Heritages in Aterno Valley (Italy): Historical Watermills for Cereals Grinding

Watermills were known and used from the Roman age; they diffused during medieval age and had a preponderance between working machines till the advent of steam engine. Fundamentally they can be classified as mills with horizontal wheel and mills with vertical wheel. Mills are complex structures, made by mechanisms, hydraulics works, buildings, and are witnesses of past cultures. The case study are the watermills of Aterno Valley (Italy), a territory between Gran Sasso and Sirente-Velino natural parks. The study involves different topics: history, hydrology, mechanics, architecture. Historical analysis and mill’s surveying favour the comprehension of mill’s documental values. They can be studied as indicators of modifications of technologies, society, economy, territory during centuries. Watermills are cultural heritages and we believe that only through the integration of all contributions deriving from different research fields will create a comprehensive and exhaustive description of the phenomena that have allowed the construction, the use and the actual neglected conditions of mills, and that can favour their conservation, protection and exploitation.