Piano per l'accessibilità degli spazi museali delle Gallerie degli Uffizi e di Palazzo Pitti

The action-research conducted by the Florence accessibility lab of the University of Florence on the Uffizi galleries and Palazzo Pitti focuses on enhancing accessibility and usability in historic museums. The study is organized into three phases: constructing a knowledge framework, planning adaptation interventions, and developing accessible design strategies. The first phase involved surveying access barriers and analyzing internal and external visitor flows-an unprecedented effort for these museum sites-which allowed for the identification of architectural, perceptual, and sensory obstacles, as well as wayfinding and orientation challenges. Data collection relied on targeted site inspections, observation of visitor behavior, and interviews with museum staff, with particular attention to space management, functional organization, and service quality. Existing accessibility regulations guided the definition of functional categories and analytical parameters, supplemented by context-specific evaluations tailored to the historic and monumental nature of the buildings. Based on the findings from the knowledge framework, the second phase outlined a preliminary list of adaptation interventions, including organizational solutions and architectural measures aimed at reducing level differences, improving circulation, and ensuring safety. The ongoing third phase, expected to conclude in 2026, involves the preparation of descriptive intervention sheets and best pratice guidelines, intended as conceptual and design references for implementing site-specific solutions replicable in similar contexts. Each best practice will be analyzed for its relevance to the specific museum context, highlighting innovative and high-quality elements. Preliminary results demonstrate that an integrated approach, combining critical analysis, direct observation, and collaboration with museum staff, can provide a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of access barriers and improvement opportunities. The resulting toolkit aims to serve as an operational guide for progressive interventions to enhance accessibility, usability, and the overall cultural experience, while safeguarding the architectural integrity and historical value of both sites.