P.I.N.O. - Polo Inclusione Sociale Nord-Ovest

Duration: 02/2020 -  06/2021

Scientific Coordinator: Cristian Campagnaro

Project Type: Project funded with open call

PoliTO Role: Project Partner

The project aimed to establish a welcoming identity for social service spaces that had recently been reorganized into several “inclusion hubs” across four city districts. These spaces often repurposed (for example, the Northwest Inclusion Hub was in a former middle school), frequently appeared anonymous and partially rundown. Functionally, signage was either absent or, when present, inadequate and inconsistent, both internally and in relation to the broader identity of the city’s social services.  

During the initial phase, the research team conducted site visits and held focus groups with social service staff to understand their experiences and how the physical spaces influenced them. The data collected were then synthesized to identify key areas of intervention, supplemented by references and potential development approaches. Owing to Covid-19 restrictions, this material was compiled into a presentation and shared online with all personnel.  

Feedback was collected through an anonymous online questionnaire to guide the refinement of project proposals. Incorporating this feedback alongside the developed materials, a design proposal was drafted and presented again for stakeholder review. Following positive responses, a temporary prototype was constructed using cost-effective materials and installed in select focus areas. This prototype remained in place for two weeks, allowing users to interact directly with it; feedback was again gathered via questionnaire. The final installation was then designed, developed, and implemented based on these insights. 

Part of the installation involved using photographs of social service employees to personalize communication; these photographs were collected and graphically processed. Upon completing the work at the main site on Via Val Della Torre, the services requested the project’s extension to the detached site at Via Bogetto 3. 

Following a similar, albeit simplified, process with fewer feedback moments, the project was implemented at these additional spaces. The project was well received by most occupants and management, which led to invitations to extend it further to other inclusion hubs throughout the city. 

Involved Structure

• DAD, Department of Architecture and Design 

Partners

• Environment Park, Social Services of the City of Turin 

Location

• Polo Inclusione Sociale Nord Ovest, main office in Via Val Della Torre 138 and Minor social service in Via Bogetto 3  

Project Team

• Cristian Campagnaro (DAD), Full Professor and Scientific Project Coordinator;  
• Marco D’Urzo (DAD), research fellow, was responsible for the research, design and implementation of the project.
• Martina Dugoni (DAD) was responsible for the research, design and implementation of the project.  

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

3. Good health and well-being 

10. Reduced inequalities