Reconstructing Early-Modern Spaces: Digital Practices and Architectural History

In January 2026, the Bibliotheca Hertziana will undergo a complete 3D scan of its premises — from the photogrammetric capture of Federico Zuccari's frescoes to a full LiDAR scanning of the complex intertwining of volumes and floors. To mark the beginning of the project and frame it within larger perspectives, this event will address the use of 3D modelling techniques for research in architectural history, and look beyond claims of objectivity to focus on their interpretative value. The two keynotes will showcase the use of digital practices for the study of Italian Renaissance architecture and the reconstruction of hypothetical past spaces. A following roundtable, with experts from the Hertziana and abroad, will tackle pressing epistemic questions such as: Can the normativity of computational methods be compatible with limited and uncertain sources? How should one navigate the interpretative potential of visual models as well as their seductive risk? What pedagogical value do they convey? Are 3D models even a necessity of Digital Architectural History?