The new Mariele Ventre Primary School is what architects ATI Project describe as a space that makes the learning experience more “stimulating and sustainable.” Located in Sarezzo in the Italian region of Lombardy, the Nearly-Zero Energy Building (nZEB) complex represents an innovative educational model that prioritizes fluid, open spaces for flexible learning both indoors and outdoors. The school is named after the renowned Maria Rachele “Mariele” Ventre, a Bologna-born musician who founded and directed the Italian children’s choir Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano; it celebrates her legacy of creativity and education.
Layout and Organisation
The new elementary school accommodates 625 students across 25 classrooms and two floors, streamlining local educational services into a single innovative and efficient facility. The building is a U-shaped volume structured around a large central courtyard that widens towards the street. Classrooms open onto this courtyard and are designed for maximum flexibility. With modular partitions, spaces can adapt to different activities, from individual study to collaborative group work. Circulation routes are spacious and multifunctional, doubling as social spaces for interaction and alternative teaching.
Construction and Sustainability
The school has been constructed primarily using cross-laminated timber and glulam, materials chosen to accelerate construction while ensuring high energy efficiency and carbon sequestration. The school is an nZEB site, thanks to high-efficiency heat pumps, rooftop photovoltaic panels, rainwater recovery systems, extensive LED lighting, and architectural design that maximises natural light and ventilation. These choices reduce environmental impact and provide long-term savings in operating and maintenance costs, making the project both sustainable and cost-effective.
