A Digital Model for Knowledge, Analysis and Interpretation: The Virtual Restoration of an Abandoned Church

The socio-economic dynamics unfolding since the last century and frequent natural disasters have had significant repercussions on the Italian inner areas, giving rise to several challenges faced by marginal areas. Some consequences of these events are evident in the architectural heritage, including numerous churches that are now closed and inaccessible for various reasons. Many religious buildings suffer from decay and neglect, worsening their condition and requiring increased attention in conservation and maintenance planning. The refunctionalisation of these buildings through compatible activities with their nature and on a cultural basis can become a best practice for the revitalisation of the areas in which they are located. The decision-making processes involved in restoration can be supported by the use of digital technologies, which enable the creation of models conceived as tools for knowledge, analysis, and interpretation. Scientifically valid models, developed after a knowledge phase, can provide information on the current state of the architectural structures and indicate the necessary interventions for their preservation. The three-dimensional model can be used for defining recovery strategies, acting as a tool for visualizing potential interventions, which are carried out in a digital environment as a virtual restoration. In this work, an informative, analytical, and interpretive digital model is developed for the church of Santa Maria a Graiano, part of the homonymous monastic complex located in San Pio di Fontecchio (L'Aquila). A digitization solution is presented for this building, based on the use of various modelling techniques integrated within a BIM environment, to design the restoration intervention.