by ibby
A Museum for Everyone: Dotdotdot’s Accessible Redesign in Sicily
Design studio Dotdotdot just gave you a very good reason to book that trip to Sicily. Their playful, immersive redesign of the Museo Naturalistico Minà Palumbo in Castelbuono is proof that museums can be accessible and wildly inspiring. Forget the dusty display cases—this is a hands-on, tech-forward experience that brings nature, science, and storytelling to life with accessibility at the core.
The museum, located in the Parco delle Madonie, reopened on July 19th with a layout and visitor experience focused on accessibility in every sense: physical, cognitive, sensory, and narrative. It’s a rare project where design, technology, and storytelling converge to create something that feels truly open to all.
A Redesign Rooted in Access
Rather than applying accessibility as an afterthought, Dotdotdot baked it into every layer of the experience. As you move through the space, the museum responds. Context is revealed organically, turning visitors into participants in a living narrative.
- Panels and displays are placed at wheelchair-friendly heights
- 3D-printed replicas and Braille texts support visitors who are blind or low vision
- A hands-free mobile app syncs with each section, offering narration and deeper content through proximity sensors—no touch required
Accessibility isn’t just about ramps or signage—it’s about clarity, engagement, and giving everyone a way in,” says the Dotdotdot team.
Bringing the Landscape Indoors
Two standout features bring Sicily’s natural heritage into the museum:
- A digital diorama that recreates the Parco delle Madonie using 3D scans and immersive sound design
- A video-diorama exploring the endangered tradition of manna harvesting, with personal stories from two generations of mannaroli (manna collectors)
It’s a multi-sensory experience—part nature documentary, part design installation.
Design for Storytelling
The museum’s content is organized into sections that introduce visitors to the life and work of Francesco Minà Palumbo (1814–1910)—a doctor, botanist, illustrator, and naturalist whose legacy lives on through more than 1,000 scientific texts and illustrations. Each room is introduced by a curated artifact and framed by narrative-driven design.
From there, the experience unfolds across themed rooms:
- Biodiversity & Entomology: Over 15,000 insect specimens
- Zoology & Paleontology: Fossils and fauna of the region
- Mineralogy & Malacology: Rare shells, stones, and discoveries
- Archaeology & Art: Traces of ancient craft and contemporary reflections
- Manna Room: A blend of cultural memory and sensory design
Why This Matters
In a time when accessibility often gets reduced to checkbox compliance, Dotdotdot reminds us that inclusive design can be beautiful, functional, and deeply human. Museo Minà Palumbo isn’t just easier to navigate—it’s easier to connect with. Explore more of Dotdotdot’s work at dotdotdot.it.
