Semantics through models. Ex ante and ex post classification processes

Point clouds derived from survey operations arrive in the three-dimensional virtual space as a single object, without an ontological structure. The deconstruction and classification of the cloud defines a hierarchical interconnection of the parts and allows a much more complete reading level. In the BIM environment, on the other hand, the definition of the semantic code is achieved ex ante through inherently hierarchical modeling. Each digital object builds relationships of subsumption or equivalence with the other ontologically defined elements. If from an applicative point of view, these two types of Information System concur to define two different strategies of transformation and manipulation of data, from a theoretical point of view, their function of ordering and contextualizing data is almost identical. In both cases, in fact, the system is built thanks to a semantic apparatus, which is given the task of organizing the data in an appropriate manner and defining logical relationships. Beyond the clear analogies between the two workflows, the contribution intends to investigate the possibility of interconnection between the two systems for the expansion of the object understanding. The topic will be explored on the Santa Maria della Pace cloister, designed and realized by Bramante in Rome.