Crespi d’Adda: BricksFor brings inclusive LEGO®-based programs to the UNESCO workers’ village

The Crespi d’Adda Association launches BricksFor, a project that combines heritage, inclusion and education using participatory methods built around LEGO® bricks. Supported by Fondazione Cariplo and the Lombardy Region, the initiative activates the industrial workers’ village — a UNESCO site for its unique urban layout — as an accessible, hands-on cultural environment for people of all ages.

Workshops and guided visits take place at the UNESCO Visitor Centre, integrating practical activities, digital tools and tactile and audio experiences to enhance accessibility and participation.

The three BricksFor tracks

• For people on the autism spectrum: a pathway based on LEGO® Play Included that encourages “thinking with the hands” and makes UNESCO values (respect, cooperation, sense of community) concrete. For more sensitive cases, Sensory Bags are available with noise‑reducing headphones, blackout glasses, stress‑relief toys and CAA (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) materials.
• For blind or partially sighted visitors: a LEGO® Braille workshop, audio‑visual introductions in the Multimedia Museum Halls, accessible guided tours with Bluetooth audio guides and tactile exploration of key site elements. An immersive audio guide, voiced by the village doctor portrayed by an actor, accompanies the visit.
• For students: a LEGO® Serious Play pathway combining workshops, a visit to the hydroelectric plant and the museum rooms, enriched by historical characters enacted by professional actors to prompt discussion on citizenship and social themes. The experience can continue at school or home via an interactive AI chat that allows students to interact with a representation of Silvio Benigno Crespi.

Activities are led by certified trainers and licensed guides; in addition to classic bricks, the program employs digital technologies, narrative videos and multimedia tools to present the heritage in an inclusive way.

Practical information

• Location: UNESCO Visitor Centre, Crespi d’Adda (BG), Italy.
• Schedule: activities are scheduled regularly as part of the project calendar (check official channels for updates).
• Registration and contacts: www.crespidadda.it, www.bricksfor.it or phone +39 02 90939988.

BricksFor is presented as an innovative, replicable model that places heritage at the center of education and community building, promoting inclusion through participatory and sensory methodologies. It invites visitors to experience Crespi d’Adda as a living place of dialogue and learning.