Reality Capture Workshop

Architect: Prof. Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy

Location: Volterra, Italy

Category D: Practice-based or Academic Research, Curriculum or Applied Technology Development

Honorable mention

2017 People's Choice recipient

architecture.udmercy.edu

Reality Capture Workshop is a long-term collaborative project to create a complete digital documentation of a historical city and a methodology for the information dissemination. The project is located in the city of Volterra, Italy. The main purpose of this workshop is to provide an International educational and research experience in which students and professionals learn to use innovative reality capture technologies and collaboratively produce three dimensional computer models of the ancient city of Volterra, its archaeological remains and some of its treasured artwork.

"This project is extraordinary in its scope and aspiration and a great example of using typical reality capture tools in atypical ways." - Jury comment

The workshop provides the participants with hands-on experience in using laser scanning, drones and cameras to capture the city and some of its treasured artworks into digital models. The workshop is organized by the specialists in the field, and with support of the hardware and software companies. It provides an opportunity for participants to experiment with the new, innovative technologies while collaboratively producing digital replicas of one of the most interesting cities in the world.

Additional information

Project team

Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy, Volterra-Detroit Foundation  

Mark Dietrick and Touf Hassoun, Case Technologies, Inc.  

Tristan Randall, Autodesk  

Silviu Stoian, The Beck Group  

Marc Dubrule, CanFly Drones  

Rob Sinclair, Rick Celender and Matt Bainbridge; Civil and Environmental Consultants  

Paul Aubin, Paul F Aubin Consulting Services  

Giulia Monday, Volterra-Detroit Foundation

Jury

Matt Krissel, AIA (Chair), Kieran Timberlake, Philadelphia

Tyler Goss, Turner Construction, San Francisco

Paola Moya, Assoc. AIA, Marshall Moya Design Address, Washington, DC

Jeffrey Pastva, AIA, Davis Architects, Philadelphia

Brian Skripac, Assoc. AIA, CannonDesign, Pittsburgh

Jury comments

This project is extraordinary in its scope and aspiration and a great example of using typical reality capture tools in atypical ways. The historic preservation advances made by recording and filling in research gaps is admirable, highlighting the need for digital capture in the field. The team’s ability to build necessary local relationships and effectively deliver on the research questions amplifies their contribution.  We are excited to see how the project develops, scales, and becomes more accessible.

Image credits

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Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture

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Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture

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Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture

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Wladek Fuchs, University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture

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