Remote sensing architectural survey experiments for historical heritage: complex of santa croce in florence and the challenges of documentation

The Department of Architecture at the University of Florence has a strong focus on mon- umental architectural heritage documentation and conservation. They collaborate with organizations managing heritage sites, responding to requests like the one from the Opera di Santa Croce. The department embarked on a project to survey the Basilica of Santa Croce in response to the Opera’s needs, aiming to create a digital database for architectural and art descriptions. Simultaneously, they began experimenting with remote sensing documen- tation systems, primarily to support traditional architectural surveys and assist Federico II University lecturers in developing a BIM-based maintenance plan. These experiments, con- ducted in 2020 amid the pandemic, aimed to showcase the potential of three-dimensional documentation tools and the integration of point cloud databases with parametric BIM mod- els. Specific portions of the Santa Croce complex were chosen for experimentation, includ- ing the external façade, the internal side aisle, the Pazzi Chapel for two-dimensional graphic restoration, and a portion of the Chiostro Grande for BIM modeling. These efforts demon- strate the department’s commitment to preserving and documenting architectural heritage.