Forgotten Architecture: Smart Tools for Cultural Tourism in the Cloister of the Prior (Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Milan)

Abstract

This paper describes the relationship among an important nineteenth-century monument, the Cloister of the Prior (located in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan), its survey and the technical integration of different cultural information to be enjoyed in VR and AR during its visit. In this context, the surveying techniques have to face the problem related to the presence of white and smooth surfaces and the difficulty in obtaining a good result in the 3D modelling. Various tests have been performed to create a good point cloud from the photogrammetric survey of the cloister, conducted through the use of different camera lenses or post production interventions applied to the images, in order to obtain the best results. The 3D modelling is not only a base for creating virtual and augmented experiences (that, through digital contents, explain to the distracted public the history of this less known part of the monument) but also a starting point for possible further studies focused on the modifications that affected the cloister over the centuries.

Las monteas y trazados de arquitectura del claustro bajo del monasterio de San Millán de la Cogolla, de Yuso (La Rioja, España), su registro, preservación y difusión

“…Begoña arrúe Ugarte, José ManUel Valle Melón, ÁlVaro rodrígUez Miranda, garBiñe elorriaga agUirre 13 interesantes ejemplos en monumentos similares en los que, a partir de la realidad virtual y aumentada, se están generando productos orientados a la mejora de la experiencia de los visitantes (Bolognesi y Aiello 2019). Por consiguiente, con el fin de facilitar su reconocimiento por parte del público que acude a visitar el monasterio se propuso la realización de una aplicación de Realidad Aumentada que permitiera ver una superposición virtual de los trazos sobre las paredes a través de dispositivos móviles (teléfonos o tabletas).…”

The Secrets of S. Maria Delle Grazie: Virtual Fruition of an Iconic Milanese Architecture

“…This problem can also be accentuated because the photogrammetric software used (Agisoft Metashape) during the texturing phase tries to correct the fisheye distortions producing further alterations. The comparison between the 2 lenses, deeply analysed in a previous research (Bolognesi et al, 2019), led to the final decision to use only the traditional lens (that is able to take photos with a higher and more uniform quality than the fisheye images) in order to acquire the most interesting architectural elements, such as the columns and the brick wall.…”