Retraced memories - virtual reconstruction of an architectural landmark
Submitted: 2021-03-22
|Accepted: 2021-06-03
|Published: 2021-07-14
Downloads
Keywords:
architectural ruins, documentation, 3D reconstruction, digital photogrammetry, architectural treatises, virtual anastylosis
Supporting agencies:
Abstract:
This paper addresses the challenge of digitally reconstructing ruined architectural sites and retracing their history, in order to virtually recompose their geometrical, stylistic and material integrity. To this end, the research team analyzed the ruins of the church of Santa Maria de Monasterio Albo, located in the ancient village of Misterbianco (Sicily) and destroyed (together with the entire hamlet) by the 1669 eruption of Mount Etna. In the last years, some excavation campaigns brought the church to the light, unveiling the remains of the main portal and six altars, which are one of the most remarkable examples of Mannerist art in eastern Sicily. This research aimed to three-dimensional (3D) reconstruct both the altars and the portal, ideally reviving their original 17th century configuration. This goal was achieved through an in-depth archival research (documents dating back to the years between 1300 and 1666 were consulted), an analysis of Classic and Renaissance treatises, and two integrated digital survey campaigns (laser scans and photogrammetry). The outcome is represented by the 3D models of the seven artifacts, which include surviving parts reconstructed as photogrammetric meshes, several fragments were placed in their likely early location through a virtual anastylosis, and NURBS (Non Uniform Rational Basis-Splines) surfaces (recreating the no longer existing elements). The latter were 3D modelled based on the treatises (which provided information on the correct proportioning) or in analogy with other coeval similar artifacts. Overall, the digital reconstruction was based on the ethical principles of transparency of the intervention, recognition of non-original additions and distinction between evidence and hypothesis, according to the London Charter and the Seville Principles. The experimentation provides a valid support for possible interventions in the real world and is the starting point to develop a digital archive of the site, which would make the different accuracy levels the reconstruction explicit.
Highlights:
3D virtual reconstruction is effective to visualize and bring back to life ruined architectural artefacts.
Information about the artefacts original appearance was harvested through digital survey campaigns, archival documents, and comparisons with iconographic sources and coeval buildings.
The 3D reconstruction follows ethical principles of transparency and combines photogrammetric meshes (partly relocated through a virtual anastylosis) and NURBS surfaces.
References:
Adembri, B., Cipriani, L., & Bertacchi, G. (2018). Virtual anastylosis applied to the architectural decoration of mixtilinear buildings in Villa Adriana: the case study of the scattered friezes of the Teatro Marittimo. Applied Geomatics, 10(4), 279-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-018-0207-5
Aiello, D., & Bolognesi, C. (2020). Reliving history: The digital reconstruction of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Virtual Archaeology Review, 11(23), 106-126. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2020.13706
Alby, E., Grussenmeyer, P., Bitard, L., Guillemin, S., Brunet-Gaston, V., Gaston, C., & Rougier, R. (2017). Digitization of blocks and virtual anastylosis of an antique facade in Pont-Sainte-Maxence (France). The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W5, 15–20. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W5-15-2017
Aliberti, L., & Alonso-Rodríguez, M. Á. (2018). Digital photogrammetry for the geometrical analysis of the umbrella-shaped dome in Baia (Naples). The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII–2, 23–28. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-23-2018
Apollonio, F. I., Fallavollita, F., Giovannini, E. C., Foschi, R., & Corso, S. (2017). The reconstruction of drawn architecture. Studies in Digital Heritage, 1(2), 380–395. https://doi.org/10.14434/sdh.v1i2.23243
Apollonio, F. I., & Giovannini, E. C. (2015). A paradata documentation methodology for the Uncertainty Visualization in digital reconstruction of CH artifacts. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v5n1p1
Bianconi, F., Filippucci, M., & Magi Meconi, F. (2019). Parametrical Vitruvius. Generative modeling of the architectural orders. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 8(2), 29-48. https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v8n2p29
Brusaporci, S. (2017). The Importance of Being Honest: Issues of Transparency in Digital Visualization of Architectural Heritage. In: A. Ippolito, Handbook of Research on Emerging Technologies for Architectural and Archaeological Heritage: (pp. 66–93). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-0675-1
Brusaporci, S., & Trizio, I. (2013). La «Carta di Londra» e il Patrimonio Architettonico: Riflessioni circa una possibile implementazione. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v3n2p55
Buglio, D. L., Lardinois, V., & De Luca, L. (2015). What do thirty-one columns say about a “theoretical” thirty-second? Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 8(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1145/2700425
Canciani, M., Falcolini, C., Buonfiglio, M., Pergola, S., Saccone, M., Mammì, B., & Romito, G. (2013). A method for virtual anastylosis: the case of the Arch of Titus at the Circus Maximus in Rome. ISPRS Annals of Photogrammetry Remote Sensing & Spatial Information Science, II-5/W1, 61-66. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsannals-II-5-W1-61-2013
Cignoni, P., & Scopigno, R. (2008). Sampled 3D models for CH applications: A viable and enabling new medium or just a technological exercise? Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 1(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1145/1367080.1367082
Cipriani, L., García-León, J., & Fantini, F. (2019). From the general documentation of Hadrian’s Villa to design analysis of complex cupolas: A procedural approach. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W15, 327–334. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W15-327-2019
Demetrescu, E., & Fanini, B. (2017). A white-box framework to oversee archaeological virtual reconstructions in space and time: Methods and tools. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 14, 500–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.06.034
De Vos, P. J., & De Rijk, M. J. (2019). Virtual reconstruction of the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn: from historical research over 3D modeling towards virtual presentation. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W15, 397–404. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W15-397-2019
Forte, M. (2007). La Villa di Livia. Un percorso di ricerca di archeologia virtuale. Rome, Italy: Herma. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2107.4887
Forte, M. (2014). 3D Archaeology. New Perspectives and Challenges. The example of Catalhoyuk. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.3285.0568
Frommel, S., & Schlimme, H. (2020). Editorial. Virtual models and scientific value. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2276(20)30405-1
Frommel, S., & Schlimme, H. (2020). Editorial. Virtual models and scientific value. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v10n1p1
Garagnani, S., Cancilla, A., & Masina, E. (2019). Understanding the design intent through the analysis of Renaissance drawings. The digital reconstruction of an unbuilt mausoleum by Giuliano da Sangallo. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 9(2), 57-68. https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v9n2p57
Giovannini, E. C. (2020). Workflow for an evidence-based virtual reconstruction: the marbles of the ciborium of the early medieval Monte Sorbo church. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLIII-B2-2020, 1395–1402. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B2-2020-1395-2020
Grellert, M., Apollonio, F. I., Martens, B., & Nubbaum, N. (2018). Working Experiences with the Reconstruction Argumentation Method (RAM) – Scientific Documentation for Virtual Reconstruction. 23rd International Conference on Cultural Heritage and New Technologies 2018. ISBN 978-3-200-06576-5
Guidi, G., Russo, M., & Angheleddu, D. (2014). 3D survey and virtual reconstruction of archeological sites. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 1(2), 55–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2014.01.001
Hermon, S., & Kalisperis, L. (2011). Between the Real and the Virtual: 3D visualization in the Cultural Heritage domain - expectations and prospects. Virtual Archaeology Review, 2(4), 59–63. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2011.4556
International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and sites (the Venice Charter). (1964). Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments, Venice. Retrieved from: https://www.icomos.org/charters/venice_e.pdf
Lerones, M. P., Llamas, J., Gómez-García-Bermejo, J., Zalama, E., & Castillo Oli, J. (2014). Using 3D digital models for the virtual restoration of polychrome in interesting cultural sites. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 15(2), 196–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2013.03.009
London Charter. For the Computer-Based Visualisation of Cultural Heritage (2009). Retrieved from: http://www.londoncharter.org/
Lopez-Menchero, V. M., & Grande, A. (2011). The principles of the Seville Charter. Proceedings of the CIPA Symposium, Prague, 12–16 September 2011, 2–6.
Mancino, C. (1669). Narrativa del fuoco uscito da Mongibello il dì 11 di marzo del 1669. G. Bisagni.
Morolli, G., Cantini, C., & Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze. (2013). La lingua delle colonne: morfologia, proporzioni e semantica degli ordini architettonici. Florence, Italy: Edifir.
Palestini, C., & Basso, A. (2019). 3D detection and reconstruction experiments in river basins. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W9, 543–550. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W9-543-2019
Piemonte, A., Caroti, G., Martínez-Espejo Zaragoza, I., Fantini, F., & Cipriani, L. (2018). A Methodology for Planar Representation of Frescoed Oval Domes: Formulation and Testing on Pisa Cathedral. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(8), 318-339. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7080318
Pietroni, E., & Ferdani, D. (2021). Virtual Restoration and Virtual Reconstruction in Cultural Heritage: Terminology, Methodologies, Visual Representation Techniques and Cognitive Models. Information, 12(4), 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/info12040167
Quattrini, R., Pierdicca, R., Frontoni, E., & Barcaglioni, R. (2016). Virtual reconstruction of lost architectures: From the TLS survey to AR visualization. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLI-B5, 383–390. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-XLI-B5-383-2016
Rabasa, E., Rodríguez, M. Á. A., Gil López, T., López-Mozo, A., Calvo-López, J., & Sanjurjo Álvarez, A. (2012). The 100 Ft Vault: The Construction and Geometry of the Sala dei Baroni of the Castel Nuovo, Naples. In Nuts and Bolts of Construction History (pp. 53–59). Paris: Picard.
Santagati, C., Lo Turco, M., and Garozzo, R. (2018). Reverse Information Modeling for historic artefacts: Towards the definition of a level of accuracy for ruined heritage. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2, 1007–1014, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-1007-2018
Seville Principles (2011). International Principles of Virtual Archaeology. Retrieved from: http://sevilleprinciples.com
Spallone, R. (2019). Lunette Vaults in Guarini’s Works. Digital Models between Architettura Civile and Modo di misurare le fabriche. Diségno, 4, 91–102. https://doi.org/10.26375/disegno.4.2019.10
Stampouloglou, M., Toska, O., Tapinaki, S., Kontogianni, G., Skamantzari, M., & Georgopoulos, A. (2020). Archaeological anastylosis of two Macedonian tombs in a 3D virtual environment. Virtual Archaeology Review, 11(22), 26-40. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2020.11877
Vignola, J. (1562). La regola delli cinque ordini d’Architettura. Bologna, Italy: Lelio dalla Volpe.
Vitruvio, M. (1790). L’Architettura. Napoli, Italy: Fratelli Terres.
Wong, L., & Santana Quintero, M. (2019). Tutankhamen’s two tombs: Replica creation and the preservation of our Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W11, 1145–1150. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W11-1145-2019
