The building forms part of a network of territorial relations.
The new 'Leonardo da Vinci' ITIS school in Parma was designed to fit harmoniously into the urban context.It has become an integral part of the surrounding buildings. The design envisages a single structure extending along the edge of the lot, clearly defining its role within the overall school. Rather than being an isolated building, it is configured as a piece of a larger system, capable of interacting with the surrounding area, but also symbolically. The school is the final element of this system.
It is almost like a large embrace that defines the area without the need for
fences which would break the urban continuity. This choice responds
to a logic of sustainability and consistency with the existing fabric.
This will allow the building to remain harmonious in the future, should
Other elements of the subdivision are modified or replaced.
From an architectural perspective, the decision to build a single structure rather than dividing the school into several volumes responds to the need to simplify and unify the design of the building. The presence of many different structures in the school area creates a clear and orderly design is important in order to give the new building a precise identity. The architecture of the 'Leonardo da Vinci' ITIS is characterised by its simplicity and expressive rigour. The new building serves as a unified
backdrop, harmonising the variety of surrounding buildings.
At the interior spaces are designed to encourage innovative teaching methods.
They offer flexible environments that can adapt to new approaches to teaching and learning, as well as to the relationships between students and teachers.
The building fosters an environment that encourages learning and positive relationships between students and teachers.
Even the outdoor spaces are not merely transit areas; they become an integral part of the school experience. They complement the indoor environments and offer additional opportunities for socialisation. With the indoor spaces, they offer additional opportunities for socialisation and learning.The building's layout is based on a well-considered functional design. Each floor is divided into zones that cater for specific needs. Starting from the interior façade, we find the communal and shared spaces, followed by the service areas such as corridors and stairways, and finally the spaces dedicated to teaching, such as classrooms and laboratories. Finally, there is an interface strip with the city characterised by large glazed terraces that provide brightness and habitable communal spaces. Particular attention was paid to designing the distribution areas to ensure movement within the school and to create spaces for socialising and meeting. The distribution system provides galleries and pedestrian ramps instead of
traditional staircases and corridors. This creates spacious, dynamic environments.
The entire building has been designed to achieve the highest sustainability standards, meeting the requirements of a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB).
