A collaborative effort between the University of Florence's Department of Earth Sciences (DST), the Opificio delle Pietre Dure (ODP), and IDS GeoRadar aims to assess the feasibility of using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) on cultural heritage buildings. Specifically, the project focuses on applying contactless GPR tomography to assess the structural integrity of historic walls supporting Giotto's mural paintings in the Santa Croce Basilica, Florence. This initiative utilizes advanced technologies such as GPR and HBIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) for non-invasive investigations, facilitating structural assessments and conservation efforts. Through partnerships with IDS GeoRadar and the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the project embodies the fusion of heritage conservation and cutting-edge technology, promoting more sustainable approaches to preserving cultural legacies. The project aimed to:

• Implement a novel GPR antenna, operating in a contactless mode.

• Identify the structure and composition of the masonry supporting Giotto’s paintings.

• Determine masonry parameters for seismic vulnerability assessment, aligning with Italian regulations.

• Construct an HBIM model of the Bardi Chapel, integrating all investigations into its real 3D space.