Setting up Infopoint Vernante: design and storytelling in the real country of Pinocchio

In the heart of the Protected Areas of the Maritime Alps, the village of Vernante holds a unique magic: to be the authentic "Pinocchio Country." This is where the illustrator Attilio Mussino, the "uncle of Pinocchio," lived, and here his images have transformed the village into an open-air picture book. Against this backdrop, Saglietti Group, together with designers Sara Ambrosoli and Paolo Cavallo of the PinetS studio, initiated a project that began in December 2024: to renovate the Infopoint of the Municipality of Vernante, managed by Atl del Cuneese, creating a place where fairy tale, nature and popularization intertwine.

An immersive journey between fairy tale and nature: the ground floor

Entrance and first installations

The project starts from the ground floor, which has been transformed into an experiential and informative space. Among the main elements:

• Double-sided entrance portal, decorated with images of the village and the Maritime Alps, supported by hidden brackets to comply with underfloor heating: an invisible and scenic solution.
• Second portal dedicated to the two themes of the trail: Vernante and the Park. On one side, graphics of the village; on the other, a maxi-map of the Protected Areas.
• Tripoline curtain wall with a projected waterfall: to ascend to the upper floor you cross the water, in an immersive passage that combines fairy tale and nature.

A storytelling designed to engage children, families and visitors, combining fairy tale imagery and storytelling about the area.  

On the second floor: exploration, play and education

Educational and interactive spaces

The second floor introduces a journey through biodiversity, geology and discoveries:

• Cave room with a custom-made central table and stackable transparencies sheets-an intuitive way to follow the evolution of Piaggia Bella cave exploration.
• Magnetic board with animal silhouettes to be placed in their habitat, designed for teaching young children.
• Flora and fauna room: tactile logs to recognize the essences of the Marguareis and tactile boxes to discover the fur of animals in the Maritime Alps.
• Panoramic window with three teaching tables:
  • LED light table for tracing images,
  • Geological table with real rocks and magnifying glass,
  • Tactile table for recreating animal footprints.
• Media room with custom-designed and made blackout curtains.

A setting for all ages An educational and multisensory environment designed to engage children, families, schools and curious visitors.

Experiential design and bespoke craftsmanship

Materials, aesthetics and functionality

The project combines aesthetics, functionality and respect for the site. Each element-portals, tables, tactile supports, display structures-was custom-built in our workshops, combining invisible technical solutions, durable and natural materials, and set-ups designed for continued use by families and schools.

A choral project shaping the magic

The work of the team

This intervention was made possible thanks to the professionalism of the team: Daria Bergese for design, Fabrizio "Ciko" Olivero for technical solutions, and Samuele Chiesa, Sofian Ait Lahcen, and Alessio Giacobbe for editing. Together we have built a place where fairy tale meets mountain, where children explore and adults find wonder. In Vernante, from a simple piece of wood...the magic of Pinocchio is born again.

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