G. Mazzini ICP 3 Scuola secondaria di primo grado

Proger and Giovanni Vaccarini Architects present a new concept of public school: a “simple” refurbishment intervention of a school building becomes an opportunity for the urban regeneration of the entire block and for the construction of a sustainable, student-centered building.
The design concept aims to integrate learning environments with the urban context of the city of Pescara, as well as with open-air educational spaces such as park and garden areas.

• Creation of innovative learning environments with high performance in terms of acoustics, lighting engineering, and thermo-hygrometric comfort.
• Reduction of land consumption and redevelopment of the park to create usable green spaces that enhance the livability of the area and establish a relationship between the school, the natural environment, and the landscape.
• Spatial permeability and flexibility, ensuring usability of all areas also for functions related to school activities and community use, such as the gymnasium and sports field.
• The school as a model of environmental sustainability, with the aim of raising awareness—starting from lower secondary education—about responsible consumption and renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal, and water-based). The use of renewable resources and the achievement of indoor and outdoor comfort conditions are made visible and understandable to building users.

The new school building for the Giuseppe Mazzini lower secondary school represents an urban regeneration intervention within a central city block, bounded by Via Regina Elena to the east, Via Regina Margherita to the west, and Viale Muzii and Via De Amicis to the north and south respectively.
The existing building, consisting of three main volumes, was constructed in 1963. Due to obsolescence and the need to meet current structural and energy performance standards, its replacement is required.

The design strategy involves concentrating the main building volume along the south-west edge of the site in order to achieve several key objectives:
1) Reduce land consumption
2) Maximize permeable open space
3) Establish a green corridor connecting Via Regina Elena and Via Regina Margherita, also serving as a link between the existing Luigi Illuminati school and the new Giuseppe Mazzini school building
4) Increase the availability of outdoor green areas for open-air educational activities

The new school building is organized around a central courtyard typology, distributed over three above-ground levels, with vertical circulation provided by a double-helix circular staircase and an elevator. This layout minimizes land use.

The building consists of three above-ground levels:
At the ground floor it’s partially recessed to create a large entrance portico, which serves as the main access from Via Regina Margherita. At the upper floors there are accommodate standard, specialized, and complementary teaching activities.
The green roof hosts spaces for urban gardens dedicated to outdoor educational activities.
The ground floor includes the controlled main entrance to the school, providing access to vertical circulation and direct access to the gymnasium and its dedicated services.
On the first floor, along the west side (Via Regina Margherita), the four sections of the first-year classes are arranged in sequence. The intent is to cluster student groups by class to encourage social interaction and peer learning. This level also includes service areas and three classrooms for specialized activities.
On the second floor the four sections of the second- and third-year classes are located on the east and west sides of the courtyard respectively. In addition to the floor-level service areas, along the internal circulation path of the courtyard, a classroom for special activities is provided—featuring operable movable partitions—together with the school library, conceived as an open and fully accessible space for all students
The second floor also accommodates spaces for complementary activities, including the teachers’ lounge, areas for administrative and support staff, and dedicated service facilities.
On the third level, the roof terrace is designated for outdoor educational activities

PROJECT DATA
4 sections
12 classrooms
316 students
513 sqm gymnasium compliant with volleyball competition standards
238 sqm for specialized activities
40 sqm for music activities
187 sqm for complementary and extracurricular outdoor activities
The project site covers a total intervention area of 3,434 sqm.
The building footprint amounts to 1,260 sqm.
The gross floor area is 2,546 sqm.
The open area is 2,174 sqm,
of which 2,063 sqm is permeable surface.

CREDITS

• Architectural Design: Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti

• Engineering and Project Management: Proger S.p.A.

• Project Team:
   Giovanni Vaccarini
   Herman Cabonetti (Senior Architect – Project Coordinator)
   Matteo Preite
   Angelo Alabrese
   Structural Engineering: Stefano Pallavicini – Proger S.p.A.

• Client: Municipality of Pescara

• Location: Pescara, Italy – 92 Viale Regina Margherita

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