INTEGRATED SURVEY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE. THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF PAOLA (PAOLA, CS)

The survey is increasingly becoming a scientific operation through the introduction of innovative tools. New devices make available a considerable amount of information, with high levels of precision and acquisition times significantly faster than traditional instruments. Innovative instruments and techniques lead the way for new cognitive frameworks, new investigation opportunities and unusual architectural heritage representation. Through the integrated use of 3D scanners and photogrammetric techniques it's possible to detect and easily analyze the true shape of investigated structures (irregular geometries, protrusions, misalignments, out of plumbs, material failures,...). With the additional contribution of the thermography investigation it's also possible identify the type of masonry structures hidden by plastered surfaces (elements average size and scarfing, laying regularity, alterations, lack of homogeneity,...). The intention is to illustrate the preliminary results achieved in the experience of survey of the ancient church of the shrine of St. Francis of Paola. The church has a remarkable architectural complexity, due to the many time layers and the historical and architectural events that have characterized it. Therefore all these aspects deserve attention and represents a useful pretext for a cognitive process implementation, based on the integrated use of the instruments mentioned above and the construction, testing and analysis of advanced digital geometric models. In particular the latter will be applied to the vaulted structures.