SANTACRUZ Research Project – 3D digitalization of the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra in 1834.
About this good practice
The SANTACRUZ Project from Centre for Social Studies (CES) Department of Architecture – University of Coimbra (Faculty of Sciences and Technology), was originated from the uncharacteristic current situation of the former Monastery of Santa Cruz and surrounding area. Since the suppression of the religious orders in 1834, some of the former monastic structures were lost. Hence we envisaged a research project that would allow tourists, and also Coimbra’s population, to better understand the importance of the Monastery of Santa Cruz in its heyday – through the elaboration of a 3D Model of the monastery in 1834, relying on old images, plans and photographs. We also bought a Faro M-70 Laser Scan for cloud point surveys of the still remaining structures. We organized a circuit of 7 hotspots with QR Codes which allows visitors to confront the current situation with the 3D model displayed in a smartphone or tablet.
In parallel we asked final year master students of Architecture to develop architectural and urban proposals in line with the UNESCO «Historical Urban Landscape Approach». It’s our belief that these ideas can inform and orientate important strategic urban planning decisions for the future, being Coimbra Town Hall a stakeholder of the project.
We also developed, with the Machado de Castro Museum, the reconstitution of the possible original display of the terracotta human size figures of the “Last Supper” (1533), which belonged to the former monastic refectory.
Resources needed
Total funding was of 240.000 euros, through FEDER and COMPETE 2020 european funds, via FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. A Faro M-70 Laser Scan was bought, and three fellowships were given, one for a senior researcher (30 months), another for two PhD students (12 + 12 months).
Evidence of success
A full 3D model of the Monastery of Santa Cruz in 1834 was produced, that can be visualized along 7 QR Code hotspots. An exhibition of architectural proposals for the former monastery and surrounding area, according to the UNESCO «Historical Urban Landscape Approach», was held in the former refectory, today the “Sala da Cidade”, during 3 months, in early 2022 (with a catalogue book), enhancing public debate. 14 master thesis were produced (12 in Architecture, 1 with Archiprix national prize).
Potential for learning or transfer
We tried to articulate three major aspects, that look into the past, to the current situation and also into the future. Hence we tried to put together historical and documental research, with state of the art digital technologies and applications (concerning cloud point surveys, 3D modelling, Augmented and Mixed Reality, amongst other) and also architectural and urban design proposals that may trigger and inform future urban strategical and critical developments, with respect towards the past (UNESCO «Historical Urban Landscape Approach»).
Further information
Santa Cruz Project
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