Geometric Modeling for Immersive VR Exploration of Underground Heritage: Matera's Hypogeum Case Study
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Eurographics Association
Abstract
This paper present a methodology for reconstructing and optimizing 3D digital models of complex, tangible underground heritage sites that are difficult to access or even closed to the public, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into interactive virtual reality experiences, both for preservation and to make them accessible to a wider audience. The approach is demonstrated through the complete digitization of Matera's Hypogeum, in southern Italy. Faced with the site's challenging conditions (i.e., intricate passageways, poor lighting, and physical constraints), we developed a specialized workflow that combines handheld laser scanning acquisition with optimized mesh processing, in order to produce a model that can balance details visualization and realism with performance efficiency when used in VR environments. A preliminary development of an immersive VR application is also presented to provide an initial qualitative analysis of the model.
Description
CCS Concepts: Computing methodologies → Mesh geometry models; Hardware → Scanners; Emerging interfaces
@inproceedings{10.2312:dh.20253351,
booktitle = {Digital Heritage},
editor = {Campana, Stefano and Ferdani, Daniele and Graf, Holger and Guidi, Gabriele and Hegarty, Zackary and Pescarin, Sofia and Remondino, Fabio},
title = {{Geometric Modeling for Immersive VR Exploration of Underground Heritage: Matera's Hypogeum Case Study}},
author = {Bonino, Brigida and Cabiddu, Daniela and D'Alonzo, Mattia and Lupinetti, Katia and Mortara, Michela and Pittaluga, Simone},
year = {2025},
publisher = {The Eurographics Association},
ISBN = {978-3-03868-277-6},
DOI = {10.2312/dh.20253351}
}