Chapter Il rilievo e la rappresentazione del Teatro Sangiorgi di Catania, testimonianza e memoria documentale di usi e costumi del Novecento

The 43rd UID conference, held in Genova, takes up the theme of ‘Dialogues’ as practice and debate on many fundamental topics in our social life, especially in these complex and not yet resolved times. The city of Genova offers the opportunity to ponder on the value of comparison and on the possibilities for the community, naturally focused on the aspects that concern us, as professors, researchers, disseminators of knowledge, or on all the possibile meanings of the discipline of representation and its dialogue with ‘others’, which we have broadly catalogued in three macro areas: History, Semiotics, Science / Technology. Therefore, “dialogue” as a profitable exchange based on a common language, without which it is impossible to comprehend and understand one another; and the graphic sign that connotes the conference is the precise transcription of this concept: the title ‘translated’ into signs, derived from the visual alphabet designed for the visual identity of the UID since 2017. There are many topics which refer to three macro sessions: - Witnessing (signs and history) - Communicating (signs and semiotics) - Experimenting (signs and sciences) Thanks to the different points of view, an exceptional resource of our disciplinary area, we want to try to outline the prevailing theoretical-operational synergies, the collaborative lines of an instrumental nature, the recent updates of the repertoires of images that attest and nourish the relations among representation, history, semiotics, sciences

Urban and Architectural Design of the Piazza del Governo in Enna

The present essay deals with the urban space of Piazza del Governo in Enna, a town located in the center of Sicily. This square is a work projected and realized in 1935 by the palermitan architect Salvatore Caronia Roberti. This area is a wide space representative of the 1930s fascist regime: the square would worthily hold the public headquarters of the politic-institutional and economic-financial power. The planimetric compositive layout is assigned to geometric rigor. The wide urban empty space does not erase or destroy the memory of places, on the contrary the high tower of the Palazzo del Governo fits well in the historic skyline. The buildings overlooking the square, most realized ex-novo, show the temper of monumentality and representativeness that are called to accomplish. Our investigation started by analyzing the historical documents preserved at the Historic Archive of the city of Enna (project drawings, letters, historical images) to better understand why some decisions have been taken. The research used the tools of Survey and Representation to better understand the shape and the measure, the dimensional ratios both at the urban and at the architectural scale. To achieve that we have carried out an integrated survey (direct, photogrammetric, 3d laser scanning) in order to acquire a whole set of information essential to describe, document and appreciate all the features of these urban space and buildings. The final result represents the historical memory up to date of the whole urban space and it allows any academics to investigate more about the project: the initial decisions, the conservation state, the possible and more coherent interventions of maintenance and preservation

Low cost image-based modeling techniques for archaeological heritage digitalization: more than just a good tool for 3d visualization?

[EN] This study shows the first results of a research aimed at catching the potentiality of a series of low cost, free and open source tools (such as ARC3D, 123D Catch, Hypr3D). These tools are founded on the SfM (Structure from Motion) techniques and they are able to realize automatically image-based models starting from simple sequences of pictures data sets. Initially born as simple touristic 3D visualization (e.g. Photosynth) of archaeological and/or architectural sites or cultural assets (e.g. statues, fountains and so on), nowadays allow to reconstruct impressive photorealistic 3D models in short time and at very low costs. Therefore we have chosen different case studies with various levels of complexity (from the statues to the architectures) in order to start a first testing on the modeling potentiality of these tools.[IT] Il presente studio mostra i primi risultati di una ricerca volta a comprendere le potenzialità di una serie di applicativi low-cost, free e open source (ARC3D, 123D Catch, Hypr3D) basati sulle tecniche SfM (Structure from Motion) ed in grado di realizzare in maniera automatizzata modelli 3D fotografici a partire da semplici sequenze di immagini fotografiche. Inizialmente nati per la semplice visualizzazione turistica (ad esempio Photosynt) di siti archeologici e/o architettonici o di beni culturali (statue, dettagli etc) oggi attraverso queste tecnologie è possibile riprodurre con costi contenuti e tempi notevolmente ridotti modelli 3D fotorealistici. Sono stati scelti casi studio di diversa complessità (dalle statue alle architetture) in modo da poter avviare una prima verifica sulle potenzialità di modellazione di questi applicativi.Galizia, M.; Santagati, C. (2013). Low cost image-based modeling techniques for archaeological heritage digitalization: more than just a good tool for 3d visualization?. Virtual Archaeology Review. 4(9):123-129. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2013.4262OJS12312949ABATE, Dante et al. (2011): "Project Photofly: new 3d modeling online web service (case studies and assessments)", in International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences Volume XXXVIII-5/W16.BARAZZETTI, Luigi et al. (2010): "Extraction Of Accurate Tie Points For Automated Pose Estimation Of Close Range Blocks", in IAPRS, Vol. XXXVIII, Part 3A.BERALDIN, Jean-Angelo et al. (2005): "Virtual reconstruction of heritage sites: opportunities & challenges created by 3D technologies", in The International Workshop on Recording, Modeling and Visualization of Cultural Heritage. May 22-27, 2005. Ascona, Switzerland. NRC 48100.CALLIERI, Marco et al. (2009): "Scanner 3D con hardware low cost e strumenti free/open source", in Archeologia e Calcolatori, Supplemento 2, pp. 173-180.CIGNONI, Paolo (2009): "Low cost resources for image synthesis and image-based modeling", in Siggraph 2009CIGNONI, Paolo et al. (2008): "MeshLab: an Open-Source Mesh Processing Tool", in Sixth Eurographics Italian Chapter Conference, pp. 129-136.FILIPPUCCI, Marco (2010): "Nuvole di pixel. La fotomodellazione con software liberi per il rilievo d'architettura", in DISEGNARECON, vol 3, n.6.FRATUS DE BALESTRINI, Elena et al. (2011): "New instruments for survey: on line softwares for 3d reconstruction from images", in International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XXXVIII-5/W16.GOESELE, Michael et al. (2007): "Multi-View Stereo for Community Photo Collections", in Proceedings of ICCV 2007, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, October 14-20.POLLEFEYS, Marc et al. (2004): "Visual modeling with a hand-held camera", in International Journal of Computer Vision, vol. 59, n. 3, pp. 207-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:VISI.0000025798.50602.3aSNAVELY, Noah et al. (2008): "Modelling the world from internet photo collections", in International Journal of Computer Vision, 80(2), pp. 189-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11263-007-0107-3SNAVELY, Noah et al. (2008): "Finding Paths through the World's Photos", in ACM Transactions on Graphics (Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 2008), vol. 27, n.3, pp.11-21.TINGDAHL, David et al. (2011): "ARC3D: A public Web service that turns photos into 3D models", in Stanco, F. Battiato, S. Gallo G. (eds.), Digital imaging for Cultural Heritage Preservation: Analysis, Restoration, and Reconstruction of Ancient Artworks, CRC Press.VERGAUWEN, Maarten et al. (2006): "Web-based reconstruction service", in Machine Vision and Applications, 17(6), pp. 411-426.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00138-006-0027-

REMOTE SENSING AND CITY INFORMATION MODELING FOR REVEALING THE COMPLEXITY OF HISTORICAL CENTERS

Abstract. Historical centers represent the outcome of transformations and stratifications of the cities across the centuries. The knowledge of a historical urban environment requires an analytical methodology articulated on several interconnected levels of investigation to model a multi-layered complexity that encompasses the geometric and stylistic features of places (blocks irregularities, narrow streets, stratified buildings), the accessibility (pedestrial zone, no flyzone), the use of existing data (GIS, cartographies). Today the challenge for historical centers is dual: on the one side to make use of expeditious technologies to acquire data, on the other one to create 3D city models that allow to manage, visualize, enquire and use these data in a unique digital ecosystem. Our research deals with a multi-sensor data acquisition, evaluation and integration with the aim of creating informed and responsive 3D city models (CIM) that constitute a synthesis of the survey conducted and become the support for simulations in various contexts (seismic risk, hydraulic, energy performance)

gis is and knowledge documenting and managing catania s historic urban heritage

The present study shows the results of a research aimed at the knowledge of the significant features of Catania's urban environment. The complexity of the different features of the city, the several scales of representation, the multi-dimensional objects and the historical, anthropic, formal relations have produced different kinds of information requiring a flexible instrument that is able to transcribe images, charts, texts and symbols in a single model of representation. In the perspective of creating a fundamental cognitive framework, the research team paid attention at drawing up a GIS (Geographic Information System) for documenting and managing historic urban heritage. The idea is to have a structure able to collect data like a logic archival system or an open database, which can immediately be consulted and constantly implemented. Indeed, the aim of this GIS is to organize, manage, query and visualise the peculiar aspects which characterize Catania's architectures. Thanks to multi-directional "access-windows" it is possible to navigate through its contents (texts, drawings, 3D rendering, pictures, historical documents). The system will also allow the integration of several documents in a common geo-database up to visualise the most meaningful details. Its use could assure suitable proposals of urban transformations and coherent plans in using and/or managing heritage goods for a sustainable city development

PARTICIPATORY APPROACH FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF ARCHITECTURALARCHIVES FUNDS: THE EXPERIENCE AT MUSEO DELLA RAPPRESENTAZIONE IN CATANIA

Abstract. This paper describes the results of a participatory approach experienced during the training of university and high school students at the MuRa (Museo della Rappresentazione). Mura is a university museum belonging to the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at University of Catania. It houses and exhibits the collections of architectural projects of Francesco Fichera and a series of chalcographies including the collection of the renown engraver Giovan Battista Piranesi. The training program has been addressed at the documentation, visualization and communication of the architectures realized by Francesco Fichera and other Sicilian architects in the city centre of Catania in the first half of XXth century, whose projects are hosted by the museum. The methodology adopted has included the experimentation of participatory strategies aimed at the communication and the narration of the architectures built in the early twentieth century in Catania. After a preliminary training phase on digital tools for 3D documentation and enhancement of architectural heritage, the students were invited to participate with their ideas and creative expressions in the dissemination actions of the identified case studies

3D MODELS FOR ALL: LOW-COST ACQUISITION THROUGH MOBILE DEVICES IN COMPARISON WITH IMAGE BASED TECHNIQUES. POTENTIALITIES AND WEAKNESSES IN CULTURAL HERITAGE DOMAIN

Nowadays, 3D digital imaging proposes effective solutions for preserving the expression of human creativity across the centuries, as well as is a great tool to guarantee global dissemination of knowledge and wide access to these invaluable resources of the past. Nevertheless, in several cases, a massive digitalisation of cultural heritage items (from the archaeological site up to the monument and museum collections) could be unworkable due to the still high costs in terms of equipment and human resources: 3D acquisition technologies and the need of skilled team within cultural institutions. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new possibilities offered by growing technologies: the lower costs of these technologies as well as their attractive visual quality constitute a challenge for researchers. Besides these possibilities, it is also important to consider how information is spread through graphic representation of knowledge. The focus of this study is to explore the potentialities and weaknesses of a newly released low cost device in the cultural heritage domain, trying to understand its effective usability in museum collections. The aim of the research is to test their usability, critically analysing the final outcomes of this entry level technology in relation to the other better assessed low cost technologies for 3D scanning, such as Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques (also produced by the same device) combined with dataset generated by a professional digital camera. The final outcomes were compared in terms of quality definition, time processing and file size. The specimens of the collections of the Civic Museum Castello Ursino in Catania have been chosen as the site of experimentation

3D VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTION OF AN URBAN HISTORICAL SPACE: A CONSIDERATION ON THE METHOD

Urban historical spaces are often characterized by a variety of shapes, geometries, volumes, materials. Their virtual reconstruction requires a critical approach in terms of acquired data‘s density, timing optimization, final product’s quality and slimness. The research team has focused its attention on the study on Francesco Neglia square (previously named Saint Thomas square) in Enna. This square is an urban space fronted by architectures which present historical and stylistic differences. For example you can find the Saint Thomas’church belfry (in aragounese-catalan stile dated XIV century) and the porch, the Anime Sante baroque’s church (XVII century), Saint Mary of the Grace’s nunnery (XVIII century) and as well as some civil buildings of minor importance built in the mid twentieth century. The research has compared two different modeling tools approaches: the first one is based on the construction of triangulated surfaces which are segmented and simplified; the second one is based on the detection of surfaces geometrical features, the extraction of the more significant profiles by using a software dedicated to the elaboration of cloud points and the subsequent mathematical reconstruction by using a 3d modelling software. The following step was aimed to process the virtual reconstruction of urban scene by assembling the single optimized models. This work highlighted the importance of the image of the operator and of its cultural contribution, essential to recognize geometries which generates surfaces in order to create high quality semantic models

Architettura e/è Geometria: dalla forma architettonica alla costruzione geometrica

L’avvento delle tecnologie digitali di acquisizione dati 3D ha proiettato gli studiosi dell’architettura in una dimensione del tutto inaspettata. Milioni di punti hanno travolto ricercatori e professionisti ancora culturalmente impreparati ad affrontare la rivoluzione digitale nel campo del Rilievo. Le nuvole di punti acquisite documentano e allo stesso tempo rappresentano la spazialità degli oggetti reali, tuttavia, nulla rivelano su forma e geometria, architettura e materia se non attraverso una successiva interpretazione. Il contributo vuole soffermarsi sulle implicazioni teoriche e applicative del processo di interpretazione dei dati acquisiti per la comprensione della geometria e sulla funzione euristica della modellazione digitale, nel passaggio dal “noto all’ignoto”, nella “ri-scoperta” della forma e quindi dell’idea progettuale