Reimagining cultural heritage through an accessible and shared platform.
Living Pantalica
The project
Living Pantalica is a free online tool that opens the doors of the Pantalica Necropolis to anyone who wishes to explore it: archaeological finds, history and walking routes – all accessible at the click of a button.
We oversaw the project from brand identity to code, designing and developing a platform that collects and centralises public-domain Linked Open Data.
The aim is to showcase our cultural heritage through a simple and enjoyable experience, where both experts and those simply curious can find exactly what they are looking for.
The challenge
Cultural heritage is often difficult to access: scattered data, complex interfaces, and terminology designed solely for specialists.
Our mission was to make culture simple, intuitive and enjoyable, free from barriers and complexity.
The platform was designed to work for both the archaeologist using technical terms and the visitor exploring out of curiosity: for those who know how to search and those who do not.
Our process
We followed a comprehensive design process, from brand identity to the code. We started with the visual identity, tested usability using wireframes and prototypes, and built an open and interoperable data architecture, which forms the basis of a quick and easy search experience.
We developed Living Pantalica’s visual identity from scratch: the logo, colour palette, typographic system and iconography. An identity that engages with the archaeological heritage whilst retaining a strong contemporary character.
We created wireframes and UX prototypes to test and optimise usability, focusing on accessibility, clarity and fluidity. The starting point for the experience is a single search bar, which reduces the number of steps and simplifies interaction: fewer clicks, less clutter, a single point of access. Dynamic filters allow you to narrow down results based on specific interests. Each search term becomes an editable tag, so you can refine your search without having to start from scratch.
The data architecture is based on Linked Open Data structured in accordance with the JSON-LD standard, which is collected and centralised on a single platform to ensure accessibility, transparency and sharing. A dedicated broker manages interoperability between the sources and ensures the system’s scalability. The platform is connected to a non-relational database that securely manages user access and data.
To ensure high performance, we have developed the platform using Next.js and React. The search engine is designed to cater for users with varying levels of expertise. Furthermore, dynamic filters and the use of terms as tags make searching intuitive and fast.
Full ecosystem built in
3 Months
Open data
100%
Our approach
The project arose from a specific need: to make the Pantalica Necropolis accessible both to specialists and to those discovering it for the first time.
Instead of designing two separate pathways, we worked on a single experience capable of adapting to both.
We oversaw the project at every stage, from visual identity to development. Before writing any code, we checked the structure and usability using wireframes and prototypes. This allowed us to make adjustments whilst it was still straightforward to do so.
From a technical perspective, we have opted for Linked Open Data. This ensures that the collected data remains accessible, shareable and reusable, even outside the platform.
Technologies
- Next.js
- React
- Firebase
- Mapbox
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