Visual Analysis of Architectural Heritage:
The Interior Décor of the Domus of Roman Tunisia
Aida Hermi-Nasr
1
, Najla Allani
1
and Jean-Yves Blaise
2
1
National School of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Carthage, Tunis,Tunisia
2
UMR CNRS/MCC 694 MAP, Marseille, France
Keywords: Domus of the Roman Tunisia, Inventory, Comparative Analysis, Architectural Modelling, Information
Visualization.
Abstract: This paper aims to propose a new approach which can bring a renewal of the means of study of the Domus of
Roman Tunisia. We had chosen thirty roman houses built from 146 (B.C) to 439. These houses are spread
over 19 Tunisian cities. The paper is based on an approach called information modelling, which is situated at
the interface of the architectural modelling and the Information. This study is built on a numerical
implementation, which allows us to test some methods of analysis based on the group of the gathered cases.
It proceeds, following a method inventory prior to these houses to a comparative analysis by focusing on the
mechanisms of visual comparison between the Domus. In one hand, the study tries to structure and save large
volumes of data which are generally heterogeneous, doubtful, incomplete and sometimes contradictory. In
the other hand, the study attempts to preserve the history of the architectural evolutions. Applying this method
of work on the suggested cases permits to focus on the regularities and the individual and collective evolutions,
to emphasize the convergences and the divergences between the edifices and the periods. Finally, it permits
to improve the exchange of knowledge between experts.
1 INTRODUCTION
In recent years, under the influence of development
of NICT, the study of the architectural heritage is a
sector in full revaluation. This study of architectural
heritage has undergone profound changes, with the
introduction of new information management tools
and with the application of new technologies of data
acquisition and volumetric representation of the
building. This research aims to characterize Roman
architecture through a recognition, identification and
modelling procedure. It concerns the Roman
domestic architecture of Tunisia from 146 (B.C) to
439 as an experimental ground (this point is discussed
later). We assume that this type of architecture lends
itself well to a new scientific study (Bullo et al.,
2013).
This research proposes a new conception of
heritage information systems based on tools in the
areas of database management. Digital modelling is
as an essential tool for advancing knowledge. Works
are developing primarily in two directions: The
design of heritage information systems leveraging
tools in the areas of database management systems.
The inventory makes it possible to set up a recording
and data management tool (Morand, 2002). The
second part deals with comparative analysis and
information visualization through which we will try
to answer, through practice (s), some of the issues
raised by the introduction of new technologies in the
study of heritage buildings.
The method we introduce identifies three key
elements:
A formal analysis of the architectural typology in
order to define the parameters we need to
compare, and the visual sign in charge of
conveying comparisons. Result of this first step is
a univocal graphic symbolization of the
typology’s architectural composition and a
relational database containing the data set itself
(Hermi et al., 2014).
A database of Domus of Roman Tunisia, in order
to investigate an architectural inventory approach,
multidisciplinary, authorizing an operational
chaining between tools, approaches, and
disciplines dispersed (Hermi et al., 2014).
A set of visual signs, calculated dynamically for
each object in the data.
Generally, we try to explain, using a data set
concerning antique houses, that visual comparative of
Hermi-Nasr, A., Allani, N. and Blaise, J.
Visual Analysis of Architectural Heritage: The Interior Décor of the Domus of Roman Tunisia.
DOI: 10.5220/0008261004050408
In Proceedings of the 11th International Joint Conference on Knowledge Discovery, Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management (IC3K 2019), pages 405-408
ISBN: 978-989-758-382-7
Copyright
c
2019 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
405
the data can provide a major methodological
innovation for questioning of information on
architectural objects. This research sought to illustrate
how infovis methods can be fruitfully applied in the
architectural heritage. Throughout this article, we try
to present three important steps: Morphological
analysis, Elaboration of a Database and visual tools.
2 PRESENTATION OF DATA SET
AND METHOD
Roman domestic architecture presents a heritage from
an architectural know-how that we must try to
analyse, recognize and understand its evolution. The
data set we have chosen is an ensemble of 32 Domus
of Roman Tunisia and in time from 146 (B.C) to 439.
The first criterion for selecting the material is its state
of conservation which must be adequate for this type
of analysis. Roman houses, a typical element of
antique towns, have common features wherever they
are, and whenever they were built: their architectural
composition (three major structures: Open spaces is
the atrium was the open central court with enclosed
rooms on all sides, A triclinium is a formal dining
room in a Roman building, and residential rooms).
But elements of variation in the Domus typological
family are numerous. Still it is important to stress that
if we are to enable visual comparisons (and thereby
maybe better understand the variations), we need to
clearly delineate for each structure its specific
parameters. Naturally, parameters exist, such as date
of construction, which qualify the Domus as a whole.
The specificity of our approach appears to us rather
in the fact that inside the Domus we identify
significant architectural structures that we analysis
formally in step 1 (Morphological analysis) of the
proposed method. In step 2 (Elaboration of a
Database) we focus on developing a heritage
inventory of corpus spread over the Tunisian
territory. Finally, we try to develop a set of visual
tools, it allows us to gaining insight on each object
and on the data set as a whole by fostering one-to-one
or several-to-several comparison and characterising
each object by providing a univocal visual signature
not of the object itself but of the information behind
the object (Blaise et al., 2006).
2.1 Morphological Analysis
Morphological analysis of the architectural typology
can be described as an investigative process in which
we first identify main structures. This step allows
understanding and formalization of objects of
knowledge in order to show their characteristics. This
method seeks to determine the morphological identity
of the studied object by constructing one or more
structural models of the object under consideration.
Consequently, we have performed a decomposition of
the architectural object into segments according to the
manifest discontinuities and then, we have tried to
regroup the Domus having the same structures of
segmentation. This stage will be followed by a
statistical analysis (degree of absence or presence of
segments). The analysis that we conducted allowed us
to identify the structural models relating to the
disposition of segments and the nature of the shapes
of components, see Fig. 1. We have schematized this
model according to a simplified representation. This
led to an organized model. We obtained from the
analysis three distinct families, see Fig. 2.
Figure 1: The process of structural analysis.
Figure 2: Structural model for each major category.
2.2 Elaboration of a Database
The functional and technical analysis, allowed to list
all available data. Now they must be organized in a
model data. Merise method provides a framework to
enable this analysis and optimize the creation of the
model. The analysis method Merise (Baptiste, 2009)
was created in the late 70s, by the will of public
authorities wishing to provide the government and
public enterprises with a rigorous methodology. It
incorporates new features: computer database. There
For Domus: Denomination, Floor underground
Upstairs, Total surface area of the Domus, urban type,
maximum length Domus, maximum width Domus,
Orientation Domus, Delimitation Position Domus
and general presentation. The steps of the elaboration
of the database are:
1. Designing a conceptual data model without
considering the computational aspects;
2. The implementation of a logical data model
depending on the structure of the computer
software selected;
KDIR 2019 - 11th International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval
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3. And the establishment of a physical model of
data with the language used in the software.
Figure 3: General structure of the method of constructing a
database.
The data in the database are managed in a designed
system that imposed its performance in managing
databases relationally model. This tool is the SGBDR
MySQL (Server of relational databases, software
widely used for the manipulation of textual data), that
is part of management software database most used in
the world. This tool provides a work environment
because of the wide variety of elements based on
language SQL that he provides. While the interface to
manage data MYSQL performed on a server
PHPMyAdmin constitutes an excellent tool for server
administration MySQL (Meier A., 2006). This handy
interface allows you to run, easily and without much
knowledge in the area of databases, many requests
such as creation of data table, inserts, updates,
deletes, changes in the structure of the database. This
system is very useful for backing up a database as
SQL file and easily transfer their data.
After the analysis phase, it is possible to develop
a conceptual data model that integrates the different
reference tables and which taking into account the
needs of users leaving a possible subsequent changes
if necessary. The database is structured around
entities. These entities are used to organize in a
relevant and practical way the information on the
Domus of Roman Tunisia. Each entity must have a
code corresponds to a unique identifier for each
object.
Take the case of this two entities, which have the
following properties:
For Domus: Denomination, Floor underground
Upstairs, Total surface area of the Domus, urban
type, maximum length Domus, maximum width
Domus, Orientation Domus, Delimitation
Position Domus, general presentation;
For sites: Current name, Latin name, area of
town, area of the city, Year of inscription by
UNESCO, Registered by UNESCO, current
urban Configuration, Punic, and Azimuth
Domus.
This part is used to establish a database of Domus of
Roman Tunisia from 146 BC until 439 before from
heterogeneous data need rigor and planning during
the analysis phase.
3 VISUAL TOOLS
Roman Domus is a construction rich in structure as in
decoration. In this research, we apply our analysis
protocol to the décor. Up to here what we have done
is distribute in space a visual sign that connects each
to a given implementation of the antique house
typological family. We need to clearly define for each
structure its specific parameters. For this, several
criteria can be taken into account. It is a question of
codifying the material expressions of soil, walls and
threshold. The last step is then to use the parameters
defined in order to permit comparisons. Finaly,
showing through the visual signature of a Domus, the
combination of values for parameters of a given
Domus (Bertin J., 1998), see Fig. 4. This technique
proposes to codify the chosen parameters of the
Domus. For example; Visual site codification, see
Fig. 5, 6.
Figure 4: Visual site codification.
Figure 5: (a) Typical example: Visual graph of the Domus
Protomes, in Thuburbo Minus; (b) Value of the same
parameters across the data set, example: 1-date of
construction, 2-urbain position, 3-orientation, 4-area of
Domus, 5- type of transformation, 6- general type, 7-
situation,8- floor covering,9- threshold coating,10- wall
cladding.
The implementation of the method is based on a
combination of standards or robust technology, and
can be considered as quite straightforward. Graphics
are SVG inside which interactions are simple
Visual Analysis of Architectural Heritage: The Interior Décor of the Domus of Roman Tunisia
407
Javascript commands. The SVG files and their
Javascript associated scripts are produced at query
time by a set of Perl script that read the MySQL inside
which the data set is maintained.
Figure 6: (a) Visual graph of the Domus Triomphe Neptune
in Acholla; (b): A comparison of six Domus having the
same structure (identical morphological configuration,
class II).
We notice that the decoration of each Domus could
fit into a particular type of structure and have a
specific plastic modality. The majority of Domus,
built between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of
the 3rd century, use black and white mosaic and the
mosaic in polychrome tesserae with geometric
designs. During this period the Romans use
architectural and plastic coatings simplified. Houses
that settle in outlying neighborhoods, built between
the 3rd century AD and the 4th century AD, use
architectural coatings with style and patterns floral,
vegetal and figurative. We remark that each
neighborhood has specific stylistic features that could
explain its location.
4 CONCLUSION AND
PERSPECTIVES
In this paper we try to present, using a data set
concerning antique houses, that visual comparative of
the data can provide a major methodological
innovation for questioning of information on
architectural objects. This research sought to illustrate
how infovis methods can be fruitfully applied in the
architectural heritage. Our work is based on three
important steps: Morphological analysis, Elaboration
of a Database and visual tools.
Two benefits of the method we introduce can already
be accentuated:
Finalize the development of visual codes in
development of other research. The graphics
does not only enable comparison but also
underlines lacks of information. Showing us
unambiguously what we know and what we
don’t know.
Rectify the organization of the database
More generally, this work, although a lot more needs
to be done, does already underline the gain of insight
researchers in the field of the architectural heritage,
can expect from investing in graphics that say
something. There is no doubt our contribution
remains very isolated show it is worth trying to
exploit architectural analysis using concepts
stemming from infovis. For the future work, we aim
to introduce a three-dimensional visualization,
through which the 3D model plays the role of
interface. Otherwise, the proposed 3D models will
serve as a rich visual interface. They always to
interrogate the base from the scene to quickly build a
scene corresponding to the response to a query on the
database.
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Morand, B., 2002. Cours d'analyse et conception des
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Hermi, A., Allani, N., 2014. Strucrural modeling of Domus
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