CULTURAL HERITAGE AND VIRTUAL REALITY: APPLICATION FOR VISUALIZATION OF HISTORICAL 3D REPRODUCTION

Abstract. The research aims to preserve and support the historical memory of Perugia's Fontivegge district through an analysis and valorisation of the existing cultural heritage. The selected case study is represented by the original design of the station, ideated by architect Antonio Cipolla. In order to enhance this project, which was never realised, it was decided to exploit the three-dimensional reconstruction of the building, which had already been elaborated previously, to create a virtual reality experience, through users can visualize, explore and walk inside the build. The purpose is to consolidate the relationship between the historical memory of the city and its users, allowing them a new interaction with the space and bringing them to a deeper level of knowledge and understanding of the place they live. To increase the user base of this virtual experience, it was decided to create an application for mobile devices. The Unreal Engine software was selected for development, given the ease of exporting projects for the main mobile platforms (Android, iOS) and the specific functions for reading GPS data. In fact, the application only allows the exploration of the virtual scenario to real users of the place, so they physically visit it and thus can understand the differences and similarities between the real scenario and the virtual historical reconstruction. Once the geolocation is verified, the app provides the 3D model for a panoramic view of the build under examination and, subsequently, an immersive experience in which it is possible to freely navigate within the virtual reconstruction.