THE MAIN DOME OF SAN LORENZO CHURCH HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND GEOMATICAL ANALYSIS OF SAN LORENZO’S MAIN DOME = THE MAIN DOME OF SAN LORENZO CHURCH HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND GEOMATICAL ANALYSIS OF SAN LORENZO’S MAIN DOME

This thesis investigates the geometry of the ribbed dome of San Lorenzo Church in Torino, a masterpiece by Guarino Guarini. The church is renowned for its structural innovation, its proportions, and use of light to ma-nipulate vision, making the dome appear higher through its repeated pattern. The study begins with a general historical overview of Guarini's background, detailing his architectural projects and treatises, and placing his work within the broader context of Baroque architecture. Following this, the thesis delves into the history and architecture of San Lorenzo Church, with a specific focus on the main ribbed dome. It incorporates debates and discussions from eminent researchers such as Professor Susan Klaiber, Henry Millon, Elwin Clark Robison, and other scholars, whose work significantly influenced this study. The thesis is divided into two main sections: historical research and geometric analysis. The historical section contextualizes Guarini and his architecture. The geometric section details the survey methods employed, includ-ing 3D photogrammetry and laser scanning, to document the church and the dome. This documentation facili-tated the identification of the dome ‘s geometry and its potential deformations. The research focused on the ribs of the dome, and it involved the identification and selection of what seemed to be the most intact rib for detailed geometric analysis, aiming to understand Guarini's design intentions. By comparing Guarini's theoretical approach from his treatise "Architettura Civile" with the acquired survey data, the study proposes a 3D model which aims to represent Guarini's original design for the dome. The analy-sis reveals a strong correlation between Guarini's methods for creating ovals and ellipses and the current geom-etry of the dome's ribs. Despite minor discrepancies likely due to structural settlements, the study provides insights into Guarini's design process. The geometric analysis further opens to considering the structural dy-namics of the dome, and factors such as load distribution and material properties. Although a definitive conclusion on Guarini's original design for the dome remains elusive, the thesis discusses the most plausible geometric configurations for the San Lorenzo Church dome. The research underscores the importance of combining historical knowledge with modern technological methods to uncover the intricacies of historical architectural masterpieces.