Architectural survey of historical buildings: The orders of classical architecture in the Baptistery of Florence

Abstract

The survey of historic buildings is very important for architectural conservation. An integral survey allows perpetuating the building historical memory, deciphering it for future generations, and recovering it in case of accidental loss. The Baptistery of Florence survey was done with four measuring methods: the “direct” one, which employs traditional measuring tools; the “indirect” one, which expedites the dimension-gathering process with more precision; and the “photogrammetric” one, which uses snapshots to facilitate the representation process with computers. An innovative measuring concept, known here as the “recovery survey”, synthetizes graphical reality so that irregularities—due to the project materialization and deterioration over time—disappear; therefore, retrieving the building original design. Columns with their bases, shafts and capitals, as well as entablatures with their architraves, friezes and cornices were under study. The three Greek orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) together with the two roman orders (Tuscan and Composite) unveiled the classical architecture significance. These constituents, which reoccur inside and outside the baptistery, were measured as part of these holistic survey and recovery process, to achieve the objective of this research study: the recording of this world historical building through an integral survey and rilievo to decode its significance and symbolism.