ITINERARY AND EXHIBITION DESIGN

The interdisciplinary work of archeologists, architects, designers and programmers resulted in the itinerary proposal, designed to convey a fascinating and flowing narrative based on the rich scientific, historical and archeological documentation. The experience is enhanced by an Augmented Reality application on the tablets the museum provides for the visit.  

The experience divides into two differentiated parts: the visits to the museum and the prison, with water being the common thread that unifies the whole itinerary.

We chose the exhibit materials and lighting design in order to constitute a holistic experience that evokes the building’s role as a prison. We completed the proposal with a series of supports distributed throughout the rooms, such as exhibitors, graphic panels, video stations and showcases with findings and fact sheets based on scientific studies.

At the beginning of the tour, we focus the visitor’s attention on a 3D printed model which seeks a proper understanding of the evolution of the monument over time. It is a deconstructed reproduction of the architectural complex that displays its archaeological stages from the archaic period to the Early Middle Ages.

In the first part of the visit, the AR app we developed only serves to maximize some of the points of interest, but it’s inside the Carcer where it reaches its full potential and becomes the key element for interpreting the different spaces.

GEOLOCATED APPLICATION

The visit continues with a guided tour of the prison. This part’s content is activated through geolocation when the visitor approaches the different points of interest. Then, access to the information is granted by Augmented Reality when hovering the camera over items. Thanks to this technology, we provide visitors with a whole “material” experience of the monument without physically interacting with it. 

Also, the 2010 restoration works unveiled the rich frescoes that ornament the tuff walls, which were almost hidden by dust and plaster. Technicians and restorers identified the frescoes’ chronological stratigraphy, with which they created a virtual restoration that is available in the app in high-definition images.  

Developed in Italian and English, the application offers personalized content depending on the type of audience, whether they are adults or children.

It also works as a timer for the duration of the visit, which is an added value for the museum’s staff since it allows them to supervise and manage the flow of public and control the security systems of the exhibition. In particular, the app allows:

• Control the number of visitors in real-time;
• Estimate the waiting time of people and plan their itinerary;
• Communicate with visitors;
• Safeguard exposed spaces and materials.

In addition, the app delivers satisfaction surveys and collects anonymous statistics useful for updating the exhibit, which allows identifying the user’s preferences and the content and activities that have aroused the greatest interest.