1171 4617 1 PB
1171 4617 1 PB
Andrea Tomalini
Architect and Ph.D. student in
“Architectural and Landscape
Heritage” with expertise in
digital acquisitions and infor-
mation modeling. He graduat-
ed with honors in architecture
from Politecnico di Torino in
2019. During his Ph.D. (from
2020 onwards), he focused on
using BIM and VPL methods
for managing existing assets
and creating a unified digital
H-BIM for the Torino Esposizioni complex: A fusion of Parametric Digital environment for museums and
Modeling and Image Archive, bridging past and present collections.
Jacopo Bono
Ph.D. student in “Architectural
The article explores the outcomes of restoring torations over the years. Painting a vivid picture and Landscape Heritage”. In
the Torino Esposizioni complex, a masterpiece draws profound parallels between historical im- 2021 he graduated with hon-
designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and a crucial com- ages and contemporary digital representations. ors in Architecture (ACC) from
the Politecnico di Torino. Dur-
ponent of Turin’s architectural heritage. This ing his postgraduate period, he
building has once again become a focal point in won two research scholarships
contemporary discussions, given its central role focus on drawing, virtualiza-
in the Technical Economic Feasibility Plan (PFTE) tion, digitization of Heritage.
His research interests concern
proposed by the Isolarchitetti studio in collabo- modeling in the H-BIM envi-
ration with Rafael Moneo, slated for completion ronment by investigating the
in 2022. This team played a pivotal role in imple- construction of parametric and
menting and refining the BIM methodology with- non-standardized libraries.
in the professional realm, specifically for crafting
the architectural model of such a distinguished
property. The process of breaking down the
building into standard H-BIM components began
with a preliminary phase of study that leveraged
an extensive iconographic collection. This assem- Keywords:
blage of images underscores the intricacy of an Pier Luigi Nervi, Torino Esposizioni, H-BIM, BIM
architectural entity deeply rooted in our heritage methodology, Image archive
and chronicles its myriad modifications and res-
http://disegnarecon.univaq.it DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.31.2023.6
DISEGNARECON volume 16/ n. 31 - December 2023 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IMAGING LO TURCO - TOMALINI - BONO 6.2
ISSN 1828-5961 H-BIM for the Torino Esposizioni complex: A fusion of Parametric Digital Modeling and Image Archive, bridging past and present
over the decades, undergone numerous meta- ly, in that same year, the task of refurbishing and
morphoses. This evolution, steered by illustrious revamping the Palazzo della Moda was conferred
designers like Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia, Pier upon the esteemed engineer Pier Luigi Nervi. As
Luigi Nervi, and Riccardo Morandi, has cemented a prominent figure in the realm of structural en-
the building’s reputation worldwide as a paragon gineering of his era, Nervi’s involvement ensured
of structural engineering excellence. Pietro Feno- an unparalleled fusion of technical prowess and
glio, Giacomo Salvadori, and Stefano Molli were design innovation in the building’s metamorphosis
premier architects of the Art-Nouveau era in It- (Pellegrini, 1948).
aly, having played pivotal roles in designing iconic For Pavilion 2, Nervi envisioned a basilica-style
buildings during this period. The principal pavilion structure unfolding over a rectangular footprint
encapsulated a visionary portrayal of the produc- measuring 81x112 m. Dominating its longitudi-
tion process of a dominant mass communication nal axis was a series of gracefully sloping, canti-
tool—the Newspaper. This ranged from the incep- levered pillars, each tilting at an angle of 7.5 m.
tion of paper manufacturing to typeface casting, These pillars bore the dual responsibility of up-
typesetting, and culminating in folding (Fig. 2). holding the roof vault and an intermediate floor,
Exhibitions within the pavilion showcased induce- manifesting as a balcony overlooking the central
ments, portraits of eminent journalists, caricature nave. To stabilize these leaning pillars, they were
galleries, as well as compilations of calendars and anchored onto specially designed bases, crafted to
pictorial postcards (Balocco, 2011; Mussati, 2017). counterbalance the force exerted by the expansive
After the Italian National Exhibition in 1928, the vault crowning the main space. Complementing Fig. 3 - Facade of “Palazzo della Moda”, picture b/n. (MAMe, 2021).
initial Palazzo della Moda (Fashion Palace) was the nave and facing the park stands a grand glazed
erected in 1932, directly across from the Pala- apse—an architectural feature initially conceived
zzo del Giornale (Garuzzo, 1928). Umberto Cuzzi in the preliminary designs by Biscaretti (Fig. 5). In Fig. 4 -Interior view of the dance garden in the Palazzo della Moda, picture
took the lead in its architectural design. At the executing the pavilion’s design, Nervi leveraged b/n. (Casabella n.133, 1939, p. 27, as cited in Mussatti, 2017, p. 113).
same time, the interior aesthetic was entrusted
to Annibale Rigotti, Aldo Morbelli, and Gino Levi
Montalcini—with Montalcini further contributing
to ensuing exhibits (Fig. 3, 4) (Sottsass, 1939).
Subsequently, the following year, a proposal was
floated to commission the second Palazzo della
Moda, which was envisaged to supplant the origi-
nal Palazzo del Giornale. The architecture of this
new building leaned towards rationalism, boasting
clean and unadorned designs—a stark deviation
from the lavish and ornamented architecture of its
predecessor, the Palazzo del Giornale. In 1947, the
newly established Società del Palazzo delle Espo-
sizioni confronted the challenge of devising multi-
functional exhibition spaces adaptable to diverse
events. As a strategic move, the interior regions
of the Palazzo della Moda were allotted to this
very entity. This pivotal project was entrusted to
Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia, an engineer affiliated
with Fiat. In his preliminary designs, he judicious-
ly retained the core principles outlined in Ettore
Sottsass’s preceding initial designs. Concurrent-
http://disegnarecon.univaq.it DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.31.2023.6
DISEGNARECON volume 16/ n. 31 - December 2023 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IMAGING LO TURCO - TOMALINI - BONO 6.4
ISSN 1828-5961 H-BIM for the Torino Esposizioni complex: A fusion of Parametric Digital Modeling and Image Archive, bridging past and present
framework (Fig. 10) streamlines the orchestra- Week); and encapsulate collective remembrance. Concurrently, they provide enhanced oversight
tion of the building’s extant and impending states. All these facets collectively elucidate the overar- on potential modifications to the structure, bear-
Such representations hold more than historical ching objectives of the BIM methodology during ing in mind its susceptibilities and vulnerabilities.
significance; they emerge as a pivotal archive for the preliminary design phase, namely the PFTE The H-BIM approach bestows a dual function: the
posterity, encapsulating both a testament to the (Technical-Economic Feasibility Plan). Such goals phases of the initial research (documentation) and
past and a treasured legacy for future generations encompass deciphering the historical metamor- analysis (data acquisition tools) assume a diag-
(Moneo & Isolarchitetti S.r.l., 2022) phoses of the building (historical hermeneutics) nostic role. In contrast, the subsequent modeling
and relaying the narratives inherently tethered to phase adopts a discerning interpretative stance
the architectural marvel (storytelling). Within this toward the scrutinized architectural legacy (Mam-
THE H-BIM PROCESS FOR DIACHRONIC HERIT- narrative architecture, images are seminal. They moli, 2021).
AGE DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF IMAGES oscillate between roles underpinning restoration
and conservation endeavours or augmenting val-
In the ensuing discourse, we delve into one of two ue via evocative storytelling and heritage narration CONCLUSIONS
emergent trajectories stemming from the evolu- (Empler et al., 2023, p. 161). As an integral part of
tionary transition of the BIM (Building Information the Cultural Heritage, the Torino Esposizioni com- The importance of managing a diverse data set,
Modeling) methodology. Oriented initially towards plex boasts an extensive iconographic legacy. This where images play a pivotal role, must be bal-
new construction, BIM has expanded its scope visual treasury has evolved from various altera- anced to achieve a comprehensive understanding
to encapsulate historical-architectural heritage. tions and layers added over time. Images prove of architectural heritage and its progression over
This evolution has bifurcated into two primary re- indispensable during the preliminary phase of un- time. As E. Cicalò noted, “le architetture vivono
search avenues: firstly, the nexus between BIM derstanding such a monumental structure. They attraverso le loro immagini che, nel divenire pub-
and tools dedicated to data acquisition and sur- depict and witness the culture, events, and stake- bliche, danno vita ad un circuito di critiche, spec-
veying; secondly, the collation and stewardship of holders spanning the complex’s history. Their ulazioni, dibattiti” (Rattenbury, 2002 as cited in
preliminary survey data about architectural arti- pivotal role in the Building Information Modeling Cicalò, 2010, p. 117). Furthermore, Cicalò under-
facts, commonly referred to as H-BIM. Our exami- (BIM) process—shaping future digital renditions scores the distinctiveness of modern movement
nation of the Turin Exhibition complex is anchored birthed from this methodology—is undeniable. architectures. These designs, emerging in the
within the second avenue. This focus transcends BIM facilitates the genesis of a multifaceted entity early 20th century, were paired with the burgeon-
the elementary aggregation and administration of anchored in two core principles. The first pertains ing communication mediums of the era. The shift
geometric and dimensional datasets, emphasizing to creating an infographic database where images was from direct experiential recognition of archi-
the encompassing iconographic ensemble that can assume a primary role. The second revolves tectural works to identification via images dissem-
chronicles the genesis of this prized component around navigating within these compiled visuals. inated in print. It is increasingly evident that the
of Turin’s architectural example. BIM is semanti- This approach crafts a nuanced platform where origin of architecture does not solely derive from
cally deconstructed in this context, orchestrating the three-dimensional model, a salient product its material and constructive nature but is linked
harmoniously across its dual facets: the infor- of the BIM framework, serves as an interactive to the presence and formation of an essential im-
mation architecture and the intrinsic database portal. It showcases and permits inquiries into its material space, where “le pubblicazioni, le mostre
framework. This intricate approach facilitates the associated data, transcending geometric and di- e le risorse specializzate” (Cicalò, 2010, pp. 117-
conception of a multifaceted model capable of as- mensional facets (Brusaporci, 2015, pp. 97-114). 120). “E’ proprio questa costruzione immateriale
similating and curating complex knowledge asso- To sum up, the insights gleaned led to forming che, paradossalmente rende l’architettura meno
ciated with historical buildings (Brusaporci et al., of a knowledge-centric model incorporating the effimera, garantendo la permanenza delle opere
2016). fourth dimension (4D) to articulate architectural nella storia per mezzo delle loro stesse immagini”
As a result, imagery plays a pivotal role with- evolution (De Luca et al., 2023). Time emerges as (Colombina, 1996 as cited in Cicalò, 2010, p. 119)
in this digital canvas, mainly due to its ability to an indispensable aspect in H-BIM, instrumental
depict specific temporal phases of the structure, both for comprehending heritage in contemporary
outline its numerous uses, and intertwine with contexts and as an essential determinant for its
significant events highlighting the cultural ethos enduring conservation. As the building’s history
of the architectural entity (e.g., the Motor Show, unfolds, images gain pivotal significance, bol-
XX Olympic Winter Games, Paratissima - Art stering the tangible authenticity of the heritage.
http://disegnarecon.univaq.it DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.31.2023.6
DISEGNARECON volume 16/ n. 31 - December 2023 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IMAGING LO TURCO - TOMALINI - BONO 6.8
ISSN 1828-5961 H-BIM for the Torino Esposizioni complex: A fusion of Parametric Digital Modeling and Image Archive, bridging past and present