Archival Drawings-Based 3D Reconstruction of Architectural Heritage: The Gio Ponti’s Garzanti Foundation

Abstract. This paper explores the role of 3D reconstruction based on archival drawings as a tool for the interpretation and valorization of modern architectural heritage. The study focuses on the Garzanti Foundation Institution in Forlì (Italy), designed by Gio Ponti in the 1950s and currently unused, for which a rich corpus of original drawings is preserved at the Study Centre and Archive of Communication of the University of Parma. Through the analysis and integration of design documents produced during different phases of the project, a 3D model of the building’s original design was developed. The digital reconstruction supports a critical reading of Ponti’s design intentions and highlights the transformations between the project and the existing building. Beyond its analytical value, the model is conceived as a resource for cultural dissemination, enabling mobile and AR (Augmented Reality) experiences aimed at communicating the architectural value of the building to a broader audience. The research investigates how archival-based digital models can enhance access to, understanding of, and engagement with twentieth-century architectural heritage.