I.C. Mazzini-Fermi school

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I.C. Mazzini-Fermi school

Firm

SCA Studio Candeloro Architects

Type

Educational › Elementary School Auditorium

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

This project was elaborated in an open competition/bidding banished by the Avezzano’s Municipality for the creation of a new school, in order to replace the historic school complex called “Corradini/Fermi”.
The new compact, almost-square plot of land accommodates two separate schools (primary and secundary) serving a total of 625 children aged 5 to 13. Each school required its own entrance and internal circulation but outdoor spaces and play areas are in common.
Fulcrum of the architectonical composition is the volume of the “aula magna”, a bridge floating over both the entrances. This part of the building is a shelter for the bad weather in the winter season, especially in a cold climate town such as Avezzano. At the same time, the “aula magna” placement can facilitate its mixed use between the school and the rest of the city, with the possibility of separate use of this space and its easy access from the outside. Its transparency is important, to show that this is a public building, and open to all.
The growing volumes cradle a central courtyard space, clearly visible and accessible from all points of the school complex. This space is very important in order to facilitate a modern type of teaching, especially for younger children. Inside and outside the school a vivid palette of colors has been chosen to obtain playful spaces with high energy.
Great attention was paid to car circulation and parkings, with the creation of a perimeter one-way road. The school bus lane is separated from the normal traffic and has a dedicated paveway toward the school entrance.
Due to Avezzano’s seismic area, the concrete structures of the complex has been designed following the latest anti-seismicity criteria, while the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria inspirated the HVAC design, for the classification of the energy efficiency and the ecological footprint of the building.