The Sala Capitolare of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice: problems and solutions for the ceiling's survey

Abstract

In recent years, thanks to a rapid and continuous technological development, the metric survey has had a significant increase in the
digitization and enhancement of Cultural Heritage. Since ever, the Photogrammetry Laboratory of the Iuav University of Venice was
interested in documenting wooden structures with peculiar geometrical complexities; over time and through different case studies, we
had developed an operational procedure for the analysis of these construction techniques. Specifically, in this research work it will be
described the methodology used to survey the ceiling of the Sala Capitolare of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice.
On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Tintoretto, the painter of the pictorial canvas on site, it was decided to increase
the information regarding the Scuola Grande, carrying out an in-depth analysis of the ceiling structure through an accurate metric
survey.
The complexity of this venetian architecture, its considerable dimension, the richness of decorations and the particular lighting
conditions have required the integration of different acquisition techniques in order to obtain an adequate metric result for the study of
the structure in its entirety. The architectural complexity of the Scuola caused various problems during the survey campaign, resulting
in some unconventional choices in the work phases: the research presented here analyses the difficulties encountered and it illustrates
the solutions chosen in order to solve them and to study the geometric complexity of the ceiling of the Sala Capitolare.