From Geometry to HBIM: Documenting Grey Heritage Through Matta-Clark’s Architectural Cuts

Patrimoni grigi (grey heritage) refers to abandoned, neglected or obsolete buildings within contemporary urban contexts. These structures are often difficult to document and study because they are damaged, incomplete or hard to access. This article presents a simple and clear methodological approach for analysing these buildings through geometric study, drawing on concepts related to HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling). The method is illustrated through several case studies related to the work of Gordon Matta-Clark, an artist who created cuts and openings in abandoned buildings. His interventions provide complex spatial scenarios that allow the analysis of hidden spaces, structural elements and geometric relationships within these constructions. By reconstructing these works through analytical representations, including exploded axonometric views, orthographic projections and axonometric diagrams, this study shows how geometric analysis can support the interpretation and organisation of fragmentary spatial information. The proposed approach contributes to the preparation of digital models in contexts where direct measurement or laser scanning is not possible, operating as an early-stage interpretative and pre-documentation workflow within HBIM environments. Overall, the article contributes to current discussions on grey heritage by offering a practical and reproducible approach for analysing degraded or inaccessible buildings documented primarily through visual resources.