The upcoming F. Rossi Paganica primary school is planned for development in an expansive area of L'Aquila, situated within a sizable green plot that will also host a nursery school and a lower secondary school.
The layout is distinctive, opting to position all classrooms at ground level to optimize and diversify the naturalistic potential of the site.
The design envisions an organic structure where the fundamental unit comprises section classrooms and an adjoining green space. The school's formation results from the fusion of three units around communal areas, embodying the essence of the School as a space where diversity and aggregation cultivate an environment fertile for active growth of their distinctions.
The entrance road is flanked by the building's facade, leading to dual entrances: an initial external entrance and a more expansive internal entrance. The latter serves as a gateway to three distinct school sections, each accompanied by its dedicated garden. Each classroom provides direct access to green spaces, fostering a sustainable model for outdoor learning. This permeability extends to atriums, acting as junctions between educational spaces and the outdoors. All courtyards converge at the main atrium, serving as a central meeting point for children across various sections.
Both internal and external environments are meticulously designed to accommodate diverse uses by students, teaching staff, and the broader community, transforming the school into a social hub for the city.
Both internal and external environments are meticulously designed to accommodate diverse uses by students, teaching staff, and the broader community, transforming the school into a social hub for the city.
The building, resembling a single plate, is interspersed with diverse and widespread courtyards and gardens, intended to become focal points for community engagement. These green spaces, beyond serving the primary school exclusively, can potentially connect with neighboring schools. The interior spaces are also crafted as meeting places, featuring expansive, flexible common areas suitable for a range of events, from association meetings to cultural festivals.
In the internal layout, emphasis is placed on central areas accessible from the street, catering not only to the school community but also to the wider public. These areas include the main atrium, the dining area, and the gym with associated changing rooms. A strong link connects these spaces with the outdoors, enabling diverse use while creating a buffer from traffic.
The school cluster consists of three main branches housing classrooms for daily instruction. Each section comprises five classrooms, a services block, and direct access to a dedicated school garden.
The classrooms, approximately 50m² each, are designed for high visual comfort, with south-eastern exposure, glass fronts, and automated shading systems. Additionally, the A1 type gym provides a sizable area, two student changing rooms, one for teachers, and storage rooms.
The first floor is dedicated to intercycle activities, featuring a main environment with technological islands for computer labs.
. Sliding walls enable the flexible use of space, allowing independent classrooms for supplementary activities. Common areas and complementary classrooms are conceived as variable spaces, adaptable for short-term and unexplored aggregation potential. The canteen, library/teachers' room, and atrium can function as a unified space for various activities or be divided as needed.
The main atrium showcases a helical staircase with a variable section, incorporating a small children's auditorium on the ground floor.
The staircase's unique design encourages joint lessons, recreational activities during breaks, and small extracurricular gatherings.
The building employs a wooden beam-pillar construction system with x-lam structural walls for stability.
The architectural motif of the facade is defined by the repeated interlocking nodes between beams and resulting pillars.
Opaque casings feature a high thermal mass, anti-seismic, fire-resistant, and soundproof wooden system integrated with energy-efficient transparent casings.
The building promotes environmental sustainability through the use of "warm" materials such as wood, minimizing environmental impact.
The orientation maximizes natural light for educational spaces, and the design incorporates geothermal and solar systems for energy production, aiming for almost zero external energy input.
The construction plan includes an urban micro-forestry operation, contributing to the city's greenery with the planting of around 50 trees and 300 shrubs
. This approach positions the school as a focal point for ecological transition objectives and a green, environmentally conscious learning space.
