New Horizons of Museum Experiences: Between Physical and Digital

Museums represent a collection of ancient and modern knowledge that needs to be protected, disseminated and passed on in the best possibleway. The development of digital technologies in recent years is providing an answer to this need, with the transformation of research and restoration sections of museums into veritable FabLabs. The outputs generated by these specialised laboratories range from faithful physical/virtual reproductions of historical artefacts to digital libraries that can be used by experts and others. The museum framework is ideal for testing the quality and flexibility of these new technologies aimed at preserving and at the same time disseminating cultural heritage. The global spread of this practice and the sharing of research data is progressively giving rise to new application scenarios within the community, with the aim of generating cultural networks and inclusion. The macro-scenario of “museum digitisation” triggers a series of micro-scenarios with scientific and public implications, generating social value. The methodology applied involves a preliminary analysis of the current museum context, taking into account the possibilities provided by technological innovation. Subsequently, through the research of case studies, the importance that these technologies, linked to a conscious use, can assume in the museum context was consolidated. The last phase sets out how design approaches can strategically guide museum realities towards the generation of innovative and accessible experiences and modes of use. The aim of the paper is to investigate, through the use of case studies, how design can catalyse the potential of digital fabrication and digital technologies. All this can lead to new kinds of scientific and public fruition, reaching an increasingly wide audience.