Architectural ruins: geoculture of the anatomy of buildings as illustrated by Casa Ippolito, Malta

Abstract Ruins are a statement on the building materials used and construction method employed. Casa Ippolito, now in ruins, is typical of 17th-century Maltese aristocratic country residences. It represents an illustration secondary or anthropogenic geodiversity. This paper scrutinises these ruins as primary source reconstructing building’s architecture. The methodology involved on-site geographical surveying, including visual inspection non-invasive tests, geological survey local lithostratigraphy, examination notarial deeds sources to support findings about history read from its ruins. An unmanned aerial vehicle was digitally record parlous state architectural structure karsten tubes were quantify surface porosity limestone. results expressed four perspectives. anatomy revealed provides cross-section shows two distinct phases construction. tissue Ippolito—the elements materials—speaks knowledge raw their properties among builders who worked both phases. Ippolito reveals how it supported inhabitants’ wellbeing terms shelter, water food. Finally, present bring fore site’s potential for cultural tourism. case study aims show that such not just geocultural remains historical built fabric. They open wounds structure; they underpin insights into former dynamics. offer essay material culture physics. Architectural masonry structures discourse rendered stone which facilitate only reconstruction spaces but also places human users; humanity throughout history.