Antonio Proto, Francesca Cannizzaro, Maria Ricciardi, Maria Letizia Amadori, Jgor Arduini, Oriana Motta, Paola Donato, Alfred Micallef, Sebastiano D’Amico, Adriana Alescio, Luigi Mondello, Danilo Sciarrone
An integrated approach for the systematic monitoring of the indoor air quality and microclimatology at churches located in the Central Mediterranean region

Air pollution is one of the main issues impacting the preservation of cultural heritage. As a matter of fact, the interaction of atmospheric pollutants with artworks may lead to their degradation. The present study concerns a preliminary investigation of indoor air quality and microclimatic conditions in sacral buildings located in the Central Mediterranean region, which is undergoing marked climatic changes and influenced by the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants. The area is also experiencing a strong influx of visitors, which can directly impact indoor environments. Identification of the sampling locations and baseline microclimatic conditions at the monitoring sites, useful for a full indoor air quality assessment, was accomplished. To reach this goal, the monitoring strategy combined two real-time sensors that measure the concentration of particulate matter and microclimatic parameters with additional sensors for temperature, relative humidity, CO₂, and particulate matter. Some devices were installed at different heights to obtain vertical profiles of microclimatic parameters. Data collected inside and outside the monitored sites were processed in relation to the influx of visitors, providing insights with regard to the anthropogenic effects of visitors on the measured parameters.

Maria Almeida, Maria Pinheiro-Alves, Patrícia Moita, Cristina Galacho
Walls of the Castle of Alcácer do Sal - Contribution to the Study of Mortars in Military Architecture

The strategic location of Alcácer do Sal, on the banks of the Sado River and in a region rich in natural resources, explains the various occupations of this territory throughout history. However, it was the influence of the Muslim occupation (715–1217) that stood out the most, still visible today through archaeological remains, the town’s name, and, in this case study, the castle walls (11th–12th centuries), which have undergone several interventions over time. A visual inspection of the walls was conducted to assess their current condition. This revealed that the main causes of deterioration are related to water infiltration due to insufficient maintenance, lack of proper drainage, and the absence of protective elements such as coping. These issues have led to the loss of render adhesion, biological colonization, and material disintegration in several areas. The mortar samples were characterized using a multi-analytical approach, including Optical Microscopy (stereo zoom and petrographic microscope), X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, acid attack, and granulometric analysis. The results indicate that the mortars have similar compositions in terms of raw materials and likely provenance. An intervention strategy was proposed to address the identified pathologies and support future conservation efforts.

Crislandy Kaline Barreiro Marques, Rafael Fernandes Dionízio, Eloísa Dezen-Kempter
Implementation of Management Facilitators in Historic Buildings: Integration of BIM and GIS for Pathology Monitoring

The efficient management of historic buildings requires innovative preservation and pathological monitoring methods. This study proposes the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize the conservation of ruined structures, using the former prison of Ilha Anchieta State Park (PEIA) as a case study. The methodology included (1) historical and structural data collection, (2) BIM modeling in Revit, (3) geospatial mapping of anomalies in QGIS, and (4) the definition of maintenance priorities. The results demonstrate that combining these technologies enables the precise tracking of cracks, fissures, and displacements and facilitates preventive interventions. The study outlines a five-step guideline, from data collection to action planning, providing a replicable method for other historic buildings. It is concluded that the proposed approach improves the efficiency of heritage management, reduces costs, and contributes to the preservation of structural originality, with the potential for expansion through automation and artificial intelligence.

Barbara Marana, Giorgio Ubbiali
From Surveying Techniques to a 3D GIS Geodatabase

Topographic surveys of buildings are usually performed with a variety of instruments and techniques. Then, dedicated software packages provide 3D metric models that can be enriched with a series of descriptive information. The user can choose between three different options: Building Information Modelling (BIM), Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and 3D GIS Geodatabases. Particularly regarding cultural heritage buildings, information is extremely heterogeneous. Geographic Information System (GIS) software packages facilitate the creation of georeferenced 3D environments and geodatabases. This allows linking all the information to the referenced metric building; it is useful for its maintenance, restoration and management. The surrounding environment, to which it is closely connected, plays an important role. This paper describes how we built a GIS geodatabase of two 3D-modelled apses of a small church in the province of Bergamo. All the available information was gathered and linked in a 3D GIS scene.

Liliana Cecere, Francesco Colace, Muhammad Khan, Angelo Lorusso, Domenico Santaniello, Carmine Valentino
Adaptive Immersive Experiences: Comparative Study on Villa Regina

The application of immersive technologies for enhancing and managing cultural resources has become a vital frontier in the digitization of archaeological artifacts. This contribution introduces an application designed for Villa Regina in Boscoreale (Pompeii Archaeological Park), which encompasses the development of two digital environments: a 360° virtual tour for dissemination purposes and a VR environment derived from a parametric BIM model intended for maintenance and data visualization from sensors (Digital Twin). The objective of this study is to analyze and evaluate the two solutions for various user profiles, assessing their functional, communicative, and operational efficacy on several levels. The comparative assessment, conducted through simulations and qualitative feedback, highlights the strengths, shortcomings, and integrative potential of the two systems. Implementing a rule-based recommendation system is suggested to enhance the personalization of the experience. The concept proposes a cohesive and flexible perspective on digital technologies for heritage, adept at integrating public communication and technical administration within a dynamic information ecosystem.