The first "3D scan of Palazzo Pitti, a Florence. An agreement, signed between Uffizi Galleries and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Florence, made it possible to start the activities of three-dimensional architectural survey of the building. Two years of work are foreseen for the team of researchers and technicians. A team coordinated by professor Grazia Tucci (director of the Geomatics Laboratory and lecturer at the University of Florence), and byarchitect Elena Pozzi (curator of the architectural heritage of Palazzo Pitti).
Analytical data collection
To map the architectural heritage and equip Palazzo Pitti with a "database" for its enhancement, photographers and topographers are at work. The tools used are latest generation drones, GPS and laser scanners. The goal is to develop a digital model of the prestigious building, complete and accurate as never before. What is happening in recent weeks is explained to us by Professor Grazia Tucci. "The campaign for the analytical collection of all the 3D metric data of the building is underway - he says -, using integrated geomatic techniques, such as topography, laser scanning and terrestrial and drone photogrammetry, necessary to film portions of the complex otherwise unreachable ".
A digital twin
“Making a 3D survey of such an articulated space, today, undoubtedly brings cutting-edge technologies into play. Ensuring high levels of accuracy and completeness - concludes Professor Tucci - is however a challenge that requires adequate experience to produce a model that is both detailed from an architectural point of view and useful and easy to handle for preventive maintenance. In summary, thegoal is to build a digital twin of a complex architecture".
Palazzo Pitti in 3D to enhance the architectural heritage
The painstaking work just undertaken will lead to surprising results. The complete and millimetric scan of the building, together with the computerized data processing, will make it possible to have "a fundamental tool for the knowledge, study, conservation and enhancement of the architectural heritage of Palazzo Pitti in the near future". This was stated by Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Galleries. “Furthermore, this work - added Schmidt - will allow experimenting with the use of the BIM method for the integrated management of maintenance and scheduling of the complex's interventions. A perspective that places the relevant activity in the context of an important modernization process in the management and maintenance of our architectural heritage ".
Palazzo Pitti just a click away
In about two years, therefore, Palazzo Pitti will be within everyone's reach. Thanks to this sophisticated research work, a simple click will be enough to allow anyone who wishes to virtually enter the building and discover its secrets. Formerly the residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany and later of the kings of Italy, Palazzo Pitti now houses important collections of paintings and sculptures, art objects, porcelain and a costume gallery. The building is also enriched by the Boboli gardens, one of the first and most famous in Italy. For art lovers it will be a real pleasure to be able to scrutinize every corner of the famous Palazzo, staying comfortably at home.
(Photo Adriana Macchione; Uffizi Galleries Facebook page)