Investigating Depth Perception in Immersive Hypothetical Reconstructions: 1816 Canova’s Exhibition in Spirito Santo Church in Bologna

This paper investigates how different visualization technologies influence depth perception in immersive architectural reconstructions. Through the case study of the hypothetical 3D reconstruction of Canova’s 1816 exhibition in the Spirito Santo Church in Bologna, the research compares multiple visualization modes—including static images, spherical panoramas, and interactive VR environments—to assess their impact on the perception of spatial dimensions and proportions. The study demonstrates that immersive, real-time VR experiences provide a more reliable perception of architectural space due to the integration of both monocular and stereoscopic depth cues, particularly motion parallax. The results highlight the importance of carefully selecting visualization techniques in order to avoid perceptual distortions and ensure accurate spatial interpretation.