Luce e paesaggio culturale: proposta per una metodologia di analisi per il progetto dell¿immagine notturna di un patrimonio diffuso

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

A Novel Approach for the Assessment of the Nocturnal Image of the Cultural Landscape

Policies aimed at urban and territorial development stressed the importance of landscape as a significant resource for sustainable and economic development. In this perspective, research on landscape visual values and people preferences can support the enhancement of the global values of territories. Currently, the theoretical framework and approaches are mainly limited to the day images of sites, while nighttime landscape is not usually considered. In this study, we defined a methodological approach to address the analysis of the nocturnal image of cultural landscape contexts, in order to define indications and support the inclusion of visual values in the process of public lighting design. The approach was conceived for territorial contexts characterized by the presence of small urban settlements located in prominent positions and involved a subjective survey, an in-field measurement campaign, and statistical analysis to identify significant correlations between subjective judgments and quantitative parameters. The effectiveness of the approach was assessed through the application to a case study. The study allowed identifying subjective factors (overall impact, architecture and historicity, correspondence, alteration) and objective parameters (ratios of regions’ area, luminance values, and luminance contrasts) which describe the nightscape of cultural landscape. Results demonstrated the presence of significant correlation between subjective factors and objective parameters. The application of the method could provide designers and planners indications useful for the design of outdoor lighting system, in order to include perceptual aspects in a holistic design approach, which promotes environmental, energy, economic, and cultural sustainability

Renovation of Public Lighting Systems in Cultural Landscapes: Lighting and Energy Performance and Their Impact on Nightscapes

The technological innovation in the field of lighting and the need to reduce energy consumption connected to public lighting are leading many municipalities to undertake the renewal of public lighting systems, by replacing the existing luminaires with LED technologies. This renovation process is usually aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs, whist improving the lighting performance. To achieve these results, the new luminaires are often characterised by a luminous flux distribution much more downward oriented, which may remarkably influence and alter the perception of the night image of the sites. In this study the implications of the renovation of public lighting systems in terms of lighting and energy performance as well as the effects relating to the alteration of the night image, in historical contexts characterized by significant landscape value, are analysed. Results, along with demonstrating the positive effect that more sustainable and energy efficient lighting systems may have on the lighting performance and energy consumptions of public lighting systems, evidences the impact they may have on the alteration of the nocturnal image

Biohydrogen and biomethane production sustained by untreated matrices and alternative application of compost waste

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd Biohydrogen and biomethane production offers many advantages for environmental protection over the fossil fuels or the existing physical-chemical methods for hydrogen and methane synthesis. The aim of this study is focused on the exploitation of several samples from the composting process: (1) a mixture of waste vegetable materials (“Mix”); (2) an unmatured compost sample (ACV15); and (3) three types of green compost with different properties and soil improver quality (ACV1, ACV2 and ACV3). These samples were tested for biohydrogen and biomethane production, thus obtaining second generation biofuels and resulting in a novel possibility to manage renewable waste biomasses. The ability of these substrates as original feed during dark fermentation was assayed anaerobically in batch, in glass bottles, in order to determine the optimal operating conditions for hydrogen and/or methane production using “Mix” or ACV1, ACV2 or ACV3 green compost and a limited amount of water. Hydrogen could be produced with a fast kinetic in the range 0.02–2.45mLH2g−1VS, while methane was produced with a slower kinetic in the range 0.5–8mLCH4g−1VS. It was observed that the composition of each sample influenced significantly the gas production. It was also observed that the addition of different water amounts play a crucial role in the development of hydrogen or methane. This parameter can be used to push towards the alternative production of one or another gas. Hydrogen and methane production was detected spontaneously from these matrices, without additional sources of nutrients or any pre-treatment, suggesting that they can be used as an additional inoculum or feed into single or two-stage plants. This might allow the use of compost with low quality as soil improver for alternative and further applications

Virtual Tours and Representations of Cultural Heritage: Ethical Issues

Nowadays museums realities are increasingly interested in introducing advanced technological tools, in order to preserve and enhance the Cultural Heritage, as well as to make it more accessible and attractive. In fact, digital tools, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), allow to provide effective responses to the needs of different types of users, to enhance the expressive qualities of the cultural asset, as well as to enrich the visitor’s learning possibilities. However, the integration of new technologies in the management of Cultural Heritage involves different type of ethical issues. The paper analyses some of the ethical issues related to ontological, economic, and social aspects, trying to outline some principles able to limit these critical implications

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN APPROACH FOR A NOCTURNAL IMAGE OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

The current debate on the cultural landscape proposes active enhancement practices and local planning tools that are also dedicated to the study of scenic-perceptive components and visual values. However, the current indications are limited to the definition of day images of sites and are not based on investigations of the corresponding nocturnal images of the widespread heritage. The study presented in this paper is aimed at underlining the importance of the analysis of nocturnal images and at defining design tips and guidelines for the definition of the nocturnal landscape image. The proposal of design guidelines will result from the assessment of the current nightscape. The aim of the paper is to present the methodological approach that has been conceived to address the analysis of the current nocturnal landscape image, carried out through both qualitative and quantitative analysis. In the paper results obtained from the application of the method to a case study are presented

Paesaggio culturale e immagine notturna: esigenza di una metodologia di progetto della luce

Il dibattito culturale attuale si concentra sulla definizione inclusiva di paesaggio culturale, nei confronti del quale propone pratiche di valorizzazione attiva e a cui affianca strumenti di pianificazione locale in grado di considerare anche le componenti scenico percettive e lo studio di valori visuali. Queste indicazioni non possono limitarsi alla definizione dell’immagine diurna dei luoghi, ma necessitano di trovare applicazione anche nella percezione notturna degli stessi. Il contributo si propone di confrontare, attraverso un’analisi critica, contesti territoriali sedi di patrimoni diffusi diversamente illuminati. Il confronto si articola attraverso un’analisi qualitativa di casi studio rappresentativi di situazioni territoriali ricorrenti, da cui emerge prevalentemente l’assenza di una progettazione dell’illuminazione atta a definire un’idonea percezione notturna del paesaggio culturale. L’obiettivo perseguito è quello di sottolineare l’importanza dello studio dell’immagine notturna e delineare le possibilità di sviluppo di una metodologia di intervento coerente e basata su una visione sistemica

Comunicazione e valorizzazione delle architetture vegetali: il progetto della luce nei giardini storici

"1981/2021 Giardini storici. Esperienze, ricerca, prospettive, a 40 anni dalle Carte di Firenze". Considering historic gardens as outdoor museums, it becomes necessary a technological adaptation in order to open them to a wider public in full safety conditions during night time, and preserving their frail substance and cultural message. The lighting design can turn the satisfaction of specific functional requirements into an innovative tool for enhancing a garden and communicate its own history, but only if the design process is wisely managed and aware of the place identity. Through the presentation of a project developed for the garden of Palazzo La Marmora in Biella, the contribution intends to illustrate the narrative and evocative potential of light. Despite its small size, this historic garden expresses the transition from a baroque regular design to more organic forms of the nineteenth-century landscape. The search for the nature of the place has shaped the design intentions, highlighting how artificial light can be an adaptable and effective tool to enhance the mutability of the garden

Un approccio metodologico al tema dell’integrazione degli impianti nelle architetture storiche: dall'analisi dell’esistente alle proposte di soluzioni compatibili per l’adeguamento e il riuso

In the architectural heritage the introduction of new functions is an essential and complex theme. A multidisciplinary approach, calibrated on the fragility and specificity of each context, is required in order to introduce compatible and effective technologies in the project, starting from the theoretical reflection of the restoration with the aim of reaching the greatest possible integration. The paper proposes a methodological approach related to the use of historical-artistic assets, based on an active dialogue between architectural restoration and building physics, aimed not only at the adaptation and strengthening of uses for the cultural fruition, but also at the introduction of new and compatible functions. Considerations derive from a recent in progress research of the Authors, concerning the theme of building/plants integration in the context of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy - Unesco serial site, in particular for the Racconigi castle, Valentino castle, Govone castle and Palazzo Madama. These cases are representative of extraordinary architectural and decorative materiality. Moreover, they conserve widespread and valuable traces of plants that have now historical values. These traces have been mapped and analysed in their material and technological characteristics, as elements to be preserved and enhanced, in a difficult balance between conservation needs and energy performance improvement goals. The aim of the paper is to explain the methodology applied, focussing on the topic of air conditioning and lighting systems integration, and assigning them functional, scenographic and enhancement contribution. The analysis phase is identified as a crucial step, aimed at evaluating the possible recoverability and current functionality of the old plants or, at least, the role that they, with the related shafts and ducts, could still represent in order to reduce the impact of new installations and their indispensable connections on ancient walls. The knowledge of the existing plant technologies is combined with the critical evaluation of the demanding framework, articulated between conservation and fruition requirements and user's needs. Therefore, the building requirements of environmental comfort, safety, usability, integration and flexibility, minimum space envelope, control of the initial and management cost, and the different types of plants have to be subject of a detailed analysis, in relation to compatibility with the ancient building. The complexity of the theme represents a highly incisive cultural and technical stimulus for the designer and induces a continuous work of re-defining design solutions, that are often exclusive and ad hoc, in order to propose sustainable solutions that consider energy and environmental aspects and, primarily, a cultural point of view