Activities
The research activities of the Laboratory are mainly focused on the following areas: study, protection, preservation and development of the architectural, territorial and ecological-environmental heritage; architectural design and of technological-environmental design at the urban scale for the improvement of solutions aimed at developing the environment and the building heritage. The current configuration of the Laboratory envisages an organisation by sections under the responsibility of organised groups of researchers working at the Mantova Campus since its foundation, contributing to the consolidation of relations with local institutions and entities within the scope of various research projects. The sections currently comprising the Laboratory are the following:
- Land Repair Lab – The Environmental Planning section deals with issues related to urban and large area planning, with particular reference to the issues of assessing the suitability and sustainability of plan choices. The issues addressed by the research can be summarised as follows: the environmental and sustainability issue according to the ecological approach to land planning; the analytical cognitive approach as an interpretation of the distinctive characteristics of places and territorial differences; adoption of the territorial repair perspective as a proactive approach to the development of the historic and cultural heritage and activation of local resources
- Heritage Survey Technology – The Geomatics section is oriented to the development and to the experimentation of modern methodologies for surveying, representing, cataloguing and data management of architectures and the environment. The research unit works in several application fields for the study of complex architectural or archaeological heritages, in support of the preservation and documentation activity, through the development of three-dimensional models for the cultural heritage (Heritage Building Information Modeling) implemented starting from spatial databases acquired with TLS or IBM (Image Based Modeling) techniques, or techniques based on the use of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) sensors
- Technology Environment & Management – The Technology Environment and Management section carries out research, consultancy and training in the field of environmental technological design. The activity refers to the following areas: programmes and projects for urban and territorial redevelopment and development; social housing and services projects; technologies for the development of cultural, environmental and landscape heritage; process and design innovation in building and in the construction industry
- Competence Centre for Preventive and Scheduled Preservation – The Competence Centre for the Preventive and Scheduled Preservation of the historical and architectural heritage is a research facility that was created in order to offer consultancy and training on issues of Preventive and Scheduled Preservation for the Development of the Cultural Heritage. The Preventive and Scheduled Preservation methodology is based on coherent, coordinated and planned analysis, prevention, maintenance and renovation of the heritage, according to a proactive approach, focused on the concepts of cultural value and sustainability and a dynamic-systemic view of the preservation process
- Architecture and Urban Design Lab – The Laboratory carries out studies and research on issues of architectural and urban design, developing research projects aimed at improving the environment and the building heritage, seen as active players in the practice of architectural design. The Laboratory uses scientific research, field research, analysis and project development tools
Equipment
Photogrammetric and photographic cameras complete with sensors for capturing images in low light conditions; terrestrial laser scanning for architectural and archaeological surveys and structural monitoring, total station for structural monitoring of the Cultural Heritage; digital spirit levels and other topographic surveying instruments; computerised graphic workstations for Terrestrial Laser Scanning data processing and spatial data processing; specific software for processing survey data and spatial data, viewing, browsing and management of laser scanner data and three-dimensional models with RGB information mapping; instrumentation for printing and plotting maps and drawings; teaching and training and seminar support instrumentation and aids.
Services provided
The laboratory uses scientific research, field research, analysis and project development tools to provide research, consultancy and training services in all areas of activity within the scope of its expertise, exploiting the interdisciplinary synergies in the departments in question.