Photogrammetric survey of vernacular farm buildings for preserving the cultural heritage of rural landscapes

Farm buildings play a central role on the sustainability of the rural environment. Conceived to host biological productions, the farm building constitutes indeed an unparalleled example in the wide epistemological constructions sector. Due to specific human interactions with the indoor and outdoor built environment, it raises architectural and technical issues different from other buildings. The role that these buildings have historically played is strictly connected indeed with the surrounding context, due to the need of the farmer to live in close contact with agricultural land and animal husbandry. Human activities have then strongly influenced the rural environment and the visual perception of its landscape. The increasing sensitivity about the concept of sustainable development of the built environment is currently stimulating the valorisation of farm buildings. In the present article, an analysis of some specific typologies of vernacular farm buildings more representative of the Basilicata region (Italy), has been performed through photogrammetric analysis. The final results showed that a simple close-range photogrammetry survey - tailored to the needs of the agro-industrial buildings sector, which does not require expensive or sophisticated equipment - enables to catalogue this important built heritage, paving the way to its recovery for public recreation and landscape protection.