Tecniche di rilevamento e metodi di rappresentazione per l'Architettura Rupestre. Il Monastero Benedettino di Subiaco

Rupestrian Architecture is a particular form of architecture that presents "constructive" and morphological characteristics different from that canonical of descriptive geometry. The volume proposes a general revision of the 3d acquisition, elaboration and representation procedures. Rupestrian architecture is a particular form of architecture made up of structures, buildings and sculptures obtained by excavating rock. Characterized by clearly distinct elements, rupestrian architecture represents the compromise between the rules governing the architecture and those involving the sculpture. The aim of the research was to provide support on the methodology concerning the documentation, the representation and the communication of the rupestrian architecture. The idea was to systematize some standard procedures through a methodological study, which highlighted the main issues of the architectural survey, data processing and those related to 3D and 2D representations. The methodological approach was based on different research areas such as the preliminary study of the subject, the survey, the processing and the graphic restitution in the rupestrian architecture, aimed at a deep understanding of the phenomenon. The procedure was implemented through the integration of different survey methods such as range data and image-based systems. At the same time, integration and comparison among different tools for data processing were performed. The detailed analysis of methodological research was carried out on a national case study, the Benedictine Monastery of Subiaco, an example of integration between architecture and natural cavities. The case study allowed us to find alternative solutions to some procedures dealt with in the research work. The Monastery was completely surveyed through laser scanning and photomodeling systems. Photographic acquisitions were taken in order to get colour information about the frescoes preserved inside the monument. Numerical models (point clouds and/or surface models) were processed with a specific procedure in order to establish a different approach to the representation issues involving the rupestrian architecture. The graphic documentation was updated also with the implementation of the "contour lines" approach on the numerical models. The use of multiple vertical sections evidenced important information and the relations between the shape of the architecture and the natural rock. Analyzing each section it is possible to reproduce correctly the edges and the contours of the surfaces, beyond an objective characterization of the final result. The system was used for the entire Monastery and the results (26 preliminary information tables) showed important differences compared to the "traditional"approach.