Teaching geomatics to architecture students: low-cost modelling approach for critical interpretation of architectural design context

Abstract. Although the practice of architects and urban planners often relies on the data and products of geomatics disciplines, such as digital technical cartography, orthophotos and sophisticated digital models, the information about the instruments, technologies and techniques that produce such contents are seldom extensively included in the curricula of the future architects. A “playground” at which teaching staff of different disciplines, for example design, planning and geomatics, can meet and interact with each other in a wider interdisciplinary context, has been identified in a laboratorial university courses. The paper reports on a three-phases teaching method applied within the module of “Digital modelling” at the final year of the Bachelor degree in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano (Italy). The method is illustrated using two case studies: (i) a contemporary XX century prefabricated building, hosting one part of the Municipality archives in Milan and (ii) an impressive example of neoclassical architecture, Albergo dei Poveri in Naples. The aim of the paper is to illustrate how geomatics techniques can be integrated with courses of architecture design and urban planning with notable results achieved in students’ skill-development in terms of in-situ data acquisition using open data and low-cost instruments, data processing with low and no-cost state-of-the-art software and, finally 2D and 3D digital representation of built environment at building and district scale. Specifically, the method is used as a presumption to describe and discuss possible concrete contribution of the low-cost modelling approach in support to the critical interpretation of an architectural design context.