{"id":13957,"date":"2026-06-11T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eribertocaria.com\/?p=13957"},"modified":"2026-05-02T13:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T11:17:32","slug":"reconstructing-memory-3d-modelling-of-a-lost-campidanese-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eribertocaria.com\/en\/reconstructing-memory-3d-modelling-of-a-lost-campidanese-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Reconstructing memory: 3D modelling of a lost Campidanese house"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contemporary graphic design has expanded its boundaries beyond the visual realm to become a tool for historical and emotional reconstruction. In this project, 3D technology is used to preserve family memories through the virtual recreation of a Campidanese house that belonged to my great-grandparents, Celestino Caria and Grazia Marras. Located in Villanovafranca, a small village in the Sardinian hinterland, this house was built in the late 19th century and demolished in the 1960s. Through digital techniques, it has been possible to restore form, volume and life to a space that no longer physically exists, but which remains present in our memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical and architectural context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Campidanese houses are a faithful reflection of rural life in southern Sardinia. Generally built from stone, adobe, wood and tiles, these dwellings were organised around a central courtyard that served as the hub of domestic and agricultural life. My great-grandparents\u2019 house was no exception: it featured rooms dedicated to both family life and work, including spaces for storing grain and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding this context was fundamental to tackling the reconstruction. It was not simply a matter of recreating an architectural structure, but of capturing a way of life. Every detail, from the layout of the rooms to the materials used, had to adhere to a precise historical and cultural logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Documentary sources: reconstruction from fragments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the main challenges of the project was gathering reliable information. As the building had disappeared over half a century ago, there were no complete plans or comprehensive technical documentation. However, a series of key materials were successfully gathered: old photographs, partial sketches and, above all, oral accounts from relatives who had lived in or visited the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sources, although fragmentary, provided a solid basis for the reconstruction. The photographs offered visual references regarding fa\u00e7ades, textures and proportions, whilst the accounts helped to understand the interior layout and the use of the spaces. Graphic design acted here as a bridge between incomplete data, interpreting and unifying the available information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3D Modelling: Giving Shape to the Intangible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the information had been gathered, the next step was three-dimensional modelling. Using specialist software, a digital representation of the dwelling was constructed, starting with the basic structure and progressing to the finer details. This process involved making interpretative decisions, always based on the available sources, but also on an understanding of traditional Sardinian architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modelling sought not only accuracy but also visual coherence. Proportions, lighting and materials were carefully adjusted to achieve a realistic representation. The result is a space that can be explored virtually, allowing one to experience the house from the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fotogrametr\u00eda: rescatar los objetos originales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most innovative aspects of the project was the use of photogrammetry to reconstruct original objects that had survived the passage of time. Among these, the millstone stands out as a key element in the daily life of the house. Using multiple photographs taken from different angles, a precise 3D model of this object was generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The integration of these real elements into the virtual environment adds an extra layer of authenticity. It is not just a matter of recreating a space, but of preserving tangible fragments of the past. Photogrammetry made it possible to capture details that would have been impossible to reproduce manually, such as surface irregularities or signs of wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n