Innovative Laboratories

The project is an extension of an existing Upper Secondary School in Ferrara and it consists of few necessary elements that are able to define the architecture in its uses and innovative character. The long-span steel frame structure allow the maximum flexibility and spacious and bright internal spaces. The bricks external cladding refers to the tradition of the city, linking local construction material and innovative use. The ground floor glass walls create a strong link between internal and external spaces, making the building a public reference when enlightened during the evening.
The work that take places in the large workshop, visible from the school park, becomes symbol and image of the educational and research activity performed in the school campus.
Internal glass walls and double height space link the workshop and the laboratories together, generating a seamless space, setting new ways for relationships and use.
The external green spaces are visible from every space, becoming an important reference for students, teachers and public users. The big cantilevered volume at first floor protects the ground floor glass walls and the external pathway that looks to the football fields. The
new building is fully integrated with the whole school campus. The project is an extension of an existing school, but it configures as an independent building. The autonomous accessibility of the whole building and of each floor plus the extremely flexible spaces, thanks to use of movable walls that help to create several different scenarios, permit the use of the building out of school hours, opening it to the city and its inhabitants.

Education

Ferrara, Italy

Year

2016

Status

Second Prize

Size

-

Client

Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research

Collaborators

-

Design Team

SG/A Sedicigradi