Porta Pretoria of Aosta

Tactile model of the Roman era monument

Client: Comune di Aosta and Lion's Club Aosta

challenge

Model of the Porta Pretoria of Aosta useful to the fruition of blind people.

solution

Complex tactile installation with 1:75 scale model of the monument.

Tactile model of the Roman monument.
Conceived to offer a better user experience for the visually impaired, the tactile model of Aosta’s Porta Pretoria city gateway was made using a wide range of digital technologies such as 3D scanning and 3D printing of the final components, integrated by a series of accessories that make the installation suitable to the needs of the general public too.

The installation of the Porta Pretoria, promoted and financially supported by the local Lion’s Club, had to answer a series of interlocking needs, such as being accessible to blind people, integrating with the exhibition in the archaeological site and providing lighting that can easily identify the model also during the night.

The tactile installation is perfectly intergrated with the footbridge, which ensures the tourist enjoyment of the Roman ruin.

The installation, designed with particular attention to the blind people audience, is characterized by a high detailed tactile model. The instructions are shown both in common written languages than in Braille on the panels, which ensures among other the backlight. (credits http://www.lovevda.it)

Protocube took care of the entire exhibit procedure. The first step was the transposition of the laser scanning data provided by the client about Porta Pretoria and the area of the archaeological excavations on which it stands. The acquired data were processed and optimized to define a 3D model which has to be trusty to the state of the places.

Thanks to the previously acquired know-how in realizing supports for the visually impaired, the model has been refined to ensure the best possible tactile experience.

The 3D scan data were elaborated ad optimized to obtain the base 3D model.

The model of the monument has been realized in 1:75 scale with 3D printing techniques and integrated by a series of accessory systems, including specific panels and a twilight sensor able to activate the illumination during the night hours.