Integrated Workflow for 3D modelling of Historic Architecture: A Multi-Sensor Approach

The proposed work presents an integrated approach for the three-dimensional digitisation and parametric modelling of a historic building, specifically the Church of Sant’Antonio dei Cappuccini. The survey involved the combined use of photogrammetric surveys from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and scanning using a handheld Laser Scanner. This multi sensors approach allowed to obtain a detailed point cloud of the structure in rapid and accurate way; in addition, an advanced workflow was implemented to transform the point cloud into a Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) model capable of faithfully representing the complex architectural geometries. Unlike mesh models, which are based on a polygonal approximation of geometry, NURBS are based on mathematical formulas capable of producing continuous and editable surfaces with a high degree of control, maintaining a high level of accuracy compared to the original model. Therefore, this methodological approach can be replicated in different contexts, particularly for historical and architectural structures, as well as being interoperable within other workflows such as HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling).