School Campus Andrea Bacci

The intervention area is located on a sloping site, at the boundary between the urban fabric of the municipality of Sant’Elpidio a Mare and the surrounding agricultural landscape. This interface condition—between the city and the rural landscape overlooking the sea—represents the guiding element of the project.

The school building is concentrated on the site currently occupied by the existing school and is oriented along the north–south axis. It is composed of two overlapping and adjacent volumes, which define a coherent sequence of collective spaces:

1.the sports area and educational gardens, located at the main vehicular entrance
2.the entrance hall and the agorà, conceived as spaces available to the school community for events, meetings, and social interaction
3.the teaching terrace on the first floor
4.the rooftop belvedere/photovoltaic garden, a space shared with the city, designed to host events or simply to observe the landscape.

The design concept aims to orient the entire school complex toward the valley (east), opening views toward the sea on the horizon.

The new school campus is conceived as a building strongly integrated with the landscape, oriented eastward toward the valley and the sea. Its two-level layout clearly distinguishes functions: the primary school is located on the lower level, while the secondary school is placed on the upper level, aligned with the provincial road. The main access is from the lower level, via a newly designed road system that ensures safety and organization, including dedicated areas for parking, school buses, and sustainable mobility. A pedestrian connection is also provided, leading to a panoramic viewpoint and reinforcing the relationship between the school, the territory, and the community.

The entire complex is conceived not only as a place of education, but also as a civic center and a space for community gathering, open to citizens. The architecture promotes strong continuity between interior and exterior spaces: alongside traditional classrooms, outdoor learning environments such as gardens and equipped terraces that expand educational opportunities. Spaces are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different teaching scenarios, thanks to movable partitions and variable configurations.

Particular attention is given to user well-being: spaces are bright, comfortable, and acoustically efficient, with a calibrated use of natural and artificial light that also supports circadian rhythms. Views toward greenery and the landscape, along with indoor air quality and thermal comfort, are designed to reduce stress and enhance concentration and learning.

Inclusivity is a central aspect of the project. The school is designed according to universal design principles, ensuring accessibility for all users without the need for adaptations. Solutions are provided to eliminate architectural barriers, with intuitive pathways supported by signage and multisensory tools, digital and assistive technologies, and specific measures for users with sensory or cognitive disabilities. The goal is to guarantee autonomy, safety, and ease of use for every individual.

Environmental sustainability is a fundamental pillar of the project. Low-impact, recyclable, and healthy materials are used, while particular care is given to acoustic comfort and indoor air quality. Building systems are highly efficient and based on renewable energy sources such as geothermal and photovoltaic systems, integrated with controlled mechanical ventilation and intelligent building management systems. Lighting and electrical systems are also designed to reduce energy consumption and adapt to different educational needs.

Finally, the project complies with the DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principle, aiming to minimize environmental impact throughout the building’s lifecycle. Strategies include energy and water savings, rainwater management, pollution reduction, and material recovery. The project also aims to achieve high-level environmental certifications, such as LEED Gold.

Project data:
⦁ Total building area: ≈ 4,851 sqm
⦁ Primary school teaching spaces: 470 sqm
⦁ Secondary school teaching spaces: 561 sqm
⦁ Agorà (central space):
Primary: 224 sqm
Secondary: 237 sqm
⦁ Assembly hall (secondary): 565 sqm
⦁ Gymnasium: 200 sqm
⦁ Outdoor teaching spaces: 455.8 sqm
⦁ External green areas: 4,706 sqm

CREDITS

• Architectural Design: Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti

• Project Team:
  Giovanni Vaccarini
  Herman Cabonetti
  Elena Di Giuseppe
  Angelo Alabrese
  Martina Lombardi
  Claudia Candio

• Client: Municipality of Porto Sant’Elpidio – PNRR Design Competition

• Location: Porto Sant’Elpidio (FM), Italy