ASSEMBLAGE IS MORE : Harnessing Existing Digital Procedures for Multiscale Reality-based Virtual Landscapes

This research identifies sustainable workflows for reality-based virtual landscape reconstructions, covering the different steps of information management, to exploit the potential of digital models (and specifically of 3D point clouds) in landscape design. To this end, the concept of a ‘Landscape Ready-Made’ (LRM) model is presented as the result of the assemblage of existing digital procedures, not yet so widely used in landscape architecture because originally developed in different fields and/or with different purposes. This is based on a set of applied tests and empirical elaborations according to three complementary objectives, at three spatial scales and in three different case studies in the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy); focusing on different aspects of landscape (topography, built environment, green infrastructure), the research ultimately aims to provide a holistic perspective for its digital reconstruction. Addressing the increasing need and demand of 3D point clouds as a common language between science and design, and the lack of understanding and standardised procedures about digital techniques, technologies, and tools, LRM model(s) potentially enables consultants, practitioners, students in landscape architecture to handle data acquisition, processing, and visualisation in order to smartly design dynamic ecosystems.