From Digital Documentation to Cultural Accessibility: Proposals for the Mauriziano – Ariosto’s Casino, Reggio Emilia

The research focuses on the digital documentation and enhancement of the Mauriziano, Ludovico Ariosto’s summer estate in Reggio Emilia, in the context of representation technologies applied to cultural heritage and accessibility. The building, which has recently undergone restoration work funded by the Culture and Tourism Plan, houses a significant cycle of 16th-century frescoes in the Camerini rooms linked to the Malaguzzi Valeri family. The study involved a historical research over the construction of the building and the consolidation work carried out on it, while at the same time focusing on integrated surveying, both direct and indirect, aimed at the graphic representation of the architecture and interior decorations. The collected data made it possible to design a map and a visual-tactile elevation of the building, prototypes defined according to criteria of perceptual accessibility, with color contrast and relief translation of architectural elements. On the one hand, the aim is to support scientific knowledge of the complex through up-to-date acquisition and representation techniques; on the other hand, the goal is to experiment with inclusive methods, capable of making the property accessible even to users with visual impairments. The research presented represents a first step towards an integrated enhancement of the Mauriziano, combining historical research, drawing, and cultural accessibility.