PATH - perception and access to heritage

Il progetto PATH
PATH - Perception and Access to Heritage. Culture and its perceptions. The realisation of cultural heritage for children with cognitive and perceptual fragility in an ethically sustainable project.
As a catalyst for creativity and inclusion, culture contributes to the psychological and physical well-being of everyone, strengthening the sense of belonging. However, despite progress in architectural accessibility, overcoming physical barriers remains only part of the solution. Cultural enjoyment for people with perceptual and cognitive disabilities remains a challenge.

The PATH project aims to develop pathways and tools that will encourage children with perceptual and cognitive disabilities to enjoy themselves. To this end, the Dipartimento di Architettura dell’Università degli Studi di Ferrara, in collaborazione con Plam Studio, launched four experimental projects aimed at improving accessibility to culture that also offer children an opportunity for socialisation and personal growth.

The experiments will be carried out in a variety of settings, including an archaeological excavation site, a museum, a park, and a historical city centre. The aim is to identify shared strategies that facilitate access to and enjoyment of cultural sites. Particular attention will be paid to developing solutions that strengthen children's autonomy and spatial orientation, and promote active engagement with cultural heritage.

Graphic identity
The PATH project's graphic communication was designed to be as accessible and usable as possible, incorporating bright colours, sharp contrasts and simple shapes.

In cooperation with the Il Nodo association in Ferrara, all texts relating to the planned activities were translated into CAA (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) and suitable printed guides were produced and made available to download from the project website.

Route 1: The Archaeological Excavation
The first intervention is a three-stage route that simulates the main activities carried out in an archaeological site.
Involved as designers, Plam developed the utilisation activities in collaboration with the Appia Antica 39 excavation.
Activities that could be enjoyed by a wide audience were planned and implemented. One such activity was the 'Discovery of the Olla', which involved assembling fragments of 3D-printed Roman vases using magnetic hooks.
The route supports, such as totems and folding tables, with interchangeable panels depending on the chosen activity, were designed, manufactured and set up.
In collaboration with UCI Ferrara, micro-capsule certificates were printed on paper for the pop-up event on 4 June 2025 at the Appia Antica 39 excavation site. These certificates feature pictograms and embossed texts that have been appropriately translated into Braille script.