The Wooden Snail, designed by Toyo Ito in the Relaxation Park of Torrevieja, represents one of the most unique works of organic architecture in Spain. However, legal issues after its construction left it abandoned, and vandalism along with a fire reduced it to a charred structure. For the Ruins Reconstruction niche, this case is a perfect canvas to apply 3D technologies to recover its original form. 🌀
Technical process of digitization and modeling 🛠️
The proposed workflow combines photogrammetry of the current remains with parametric modeling based on Ito's original plans. First, the burnt fragments are captured with a drone and DSLR camera, generating a dense point cloud in RealityCapture. Then, this mesh is cross-referenced with historical photographs of the intact pavilion, identifying the missing pieces. Using Rhino or Blender, the curved wooden slats are reconstructed, respecting the fluid geometry of the design. Finally, it is textured with PBR materials that simulate the original wood, creating a digital twin that shows the contrast between the intended state and the damaged one.
The documentary value of virtual reconstruction 📜
This 3D model not only serves as a visual archive of the lost heritage but also as a forensic tool to understand the structural failure points after the fire. By overlaying the original geometry onto the scanned remains, deformations can be calculated and a physical restoration can be planned. For the Foro3D community, it is a reminder that even the most charred ruins can be reborn in the digital space, preserving the memory of contemporary architecture.
What technical and ethical challenges does the virtual reconstruction of an organic work like Toyo Ito's Wooden Snail pose when only ruins and partial documentation of its original structure exist?
(PS: Reconstructing ruins is like doing a puzzle without knowing how many pieces are missing. But at least you can make up the missing ones.)