Architectural Heritage Digitisation. ICT solutions fostering the development and knowledge of building materials and techniques in historical masonry

Abstract

Today more than ever Architectural heritage is at threatened by many factors determining its rapid degradation, the trig gering of serious disruption, and even its own irreversible dis appearance. Therefore, digitalisation is a fundamental process to implement stewardship and maintenance over it in order to pass it down to future generations, thus guaranteeing its preservation (even virtual, of its memory) and development. The digitalisation process, involving the conversion of the material and intangible assets characterising cultural heritage into a digital model that can be used for various purposes, fosters the preservation and sharing of these assets, as well as their accessibility (albeit virtual) for everyone. This paper will showcase the early results of research being carried out at the University of Palermo’s Department of Architecture, one aimed at developing a system for the semi-automatic recog nition of dynamic, accretive, interactive, and inclusive walls. The system is designed with the purpose of disseminating technical and scientific contents, differentiating users, and is currently being tested on the walls of the buildings making up the UNESCO World Heritage listed serial site of Arabic-Norman Palermo.