Architectural archives in digital era: research and teaching strategies for the study of unknown heritage

Architectural drawing archives encompass a diverse range of materials—technical, artistic, textual and bureaucratic—that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of architectural practice. These heterogeneous yet interrelated documents play a crucial role in the conception, development, and realization of projects, and demand tailored strategies for description, preservation, and dissemination. This contribution presents the methodological framework developed for the census, cataloging, and digitization of the Drawings Archive (AD) at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAr), University of Pavia. Initiated in 2023, the project addresses both research and teaching objectives, focusing on the integration of analog and digital archival practices. The pilot phase centers on the archive of Architect and Professor Giuseppe Sebastiano Locati, the most extensive collection within AD. Each drawing is analyzed in terms of graphic, technical, and historical attributes, allowing for the reconstruction of archival relationships and thematic groupings inspired by Locati’s monographic logic (1936). This approach not only enables effective access to information but also redefines each drawing as a node within a dynamic system of knowledge. The project further investigates the role of digital tools in architectural historiography and heritage valorization. A case study on Locati’s temporary pavilions for the 1906 Milan International Exhibition exemplifies the potential of digital reconstruction. Through student-led initiatives and international workshops, historical drawings were transformed into 2D and 3D models, allowing for immersive and interactive explorations of lost architecture. These virtual simulations serve as critical tools for the reinterpretation and reactivation of ephemeral heritage through digital storytelling.