This project is led by the municipality of Cagliari, leader of a public-private partnership, that is creating a centre of excellence dedicated to emerging technologies related to 5G/6G, focused on sectors considered strategic for the city.
The mission is to create a welcoming and collaborative environment for start-ups and small businesses, both national and international, by planning not only spaces and resources for applied research, but also a flexible technological infrastructure that can be used upon request by start-ups, SMEs and partners for the development and demonstration of innovative solutions in various sectors.
Together, we want to promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise between academic institutions and the business world, driving the adoption of emerging technologies such as IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to support growth and innovation in Cagliari and throughout the national territory.
Project portal: DLAB | Cagliari Digital Lab: Overview | LinkedIn
Budget: 2M €
Funding: MIMIT
Duration: 2 years (2023-2025)
Research Areas: Smart Mobility, Internet of Things, Immersive Multimedia and Metaverse, Quality of Experience, xG Mobile Networks
Principal Investigator: Luigi Atzori, Alessandro Floris
Virtual Reality project for the Sound Garden of Pinuccio Sciola (Giardino Sonoro)
An immersive virtual reality project has been developed for the Sound Garden of Pinuccio Sciola (Giardino Sonoro), in collaboration with Pinuccio Sciola Foundation within the Cagliari Digital Lab initiative. This project transcends physical boundaries, allowing global audiences to explore Sciola’s sound sculptures (“pietre sonore”) through an interactive and immersive digital experience.
A Vision That Lives On – Honoring Sciola’s Legacy
For those unfamiliar with Pinuccio Sciola, he was a visionary who believed that stones were living entities, carriers of history and sound. By sculpting limestone and basalt, he unlocked their hidden “voices”, creating a universal language that resonates with all. His Sound Garden remains a unique sanctuary where art and nature harmonize, offering visitors an unparalleled experience. The Pinuccio Sciola Foundation, founded by his children Chiara, Tomaso, and Maria, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Sciola’s legacy, ensuring his vision of creativity, openness, and respect for nature continues to inspire future generations.
Thanks to our immersive reality experience, Sciola’s artistic legacy now extends into the digital world. Users can virtually walk through the Sound Garden, interact with its iconic sculptures, and experience the magic of his work—anytime, anywhere.
Technology at the Service of Culture
Built with Unity, this app offers a high-fidelity digital recreation of the Sound Garden of Pinuccio Sciola, featuring around 100 artworks to explore. With the Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3 headsets, and Weart TouchDiver gloves, visitors can hear the “voices” of Sciola’s iconic sculptures (“pietre sonore”), feel their intricate textures, and even sense temperature variations—from the warmth of fire to the coolness of stone. This project merges art, technology, and sensory exploration, offering a new way to engage with Sciola’s work.
More than just a technological achievement, this initiative is a tribute to Sardinia’s cultural heritage. Sciola’s work is deeply intertwined with the island’s landscapes, history, and traditions. By expanding access to the Sound Garden, we ensure that Sardinian culture continues to inspire globally, bridging tradition and innovation. Designed for everyone—students, educators, art enthusiasts, and those with disabilities or the elderly—this experience offers unmatched access to Sardinia’s artistic and cultural legacy. It’s more than a virtual tour; it’s a deeply immersive, sensory, and emotional journey that preserves and expands Sciola’s legacy, transforming how we experience art.
