At the southern entrance to Barbian (Barbiano) in South Tyrol, the Edificio multifunzionale establishes a clear civic presence while remaining rooted in its alpine context. Conceived by Roland Baldi Architects as a compact yet expressive ensemble, the project brings together a kindergarten, daycare centre, children’s restaurant, and tourist office within a single low-energy development. More than a collection of functions, the building operates as a 'green bridge' between mobility, education, and community life.
Positioned at a key threshold to the village, the project signals arrival while maintaining a human scale. Its form and materiality reinterpret the region’s timber-building tradition through contemporary construction methods and performance standards.
Two structures, one system
The programme is organised into two primary volumes. One accommodates the educational functions, including kindergarten and daycare spaces, and is topped by an accessible roof play area that extends learning and play outdoors. The second volume houses the tourist office and is anchored by a vertical circulation core with a lift and staircase.
The two buildings are connected by a bridge that spans the roadway, creating a protected, clearly legible link between programmes. This elevated connection allows the project to function simultaneously as architecture and infrastructure, linking different parts of daily village life while maintaining safe pedestrian movement.
Learning landscapes in wood
Inside, the building is shaped around open learning landscapes rather than closed classrooms. Flexible spatial layouts are enriched with niches, meeting islands, and retreat zones that support a range of activities, from group play to quiet concentration. This approach encourages interaction while giving children autonomy over how they occupy the space.
Daylight plays a central role in shaping the interior atmosphere. Generous glazing and carefully positioned openings ensure even natural illumination, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and supporting comfort and well-being. Light-coloured surfaces and the consistent use of exposed wood create a calm, warm environment suited to both learning and care.
Materiality and environmental performance
The exterior is characterised by green-glazed wooden façades, making the building visible from afar while reinforcing its identity as a public structure with a clear environmental orientation. Timber is used not only as a finish but as a primary construction material, reflecting the use of renewable resources and regional craftsmanship.
The project meets the KlimaHaus Gold energy standard, one of Italy’s most rigorous building certification systems. This certification confirms high levels of energy efficiency, thermal performance, and construction quality. While no detailed life-cycle carbon calculations are currently available, the use of certified timber construction elements and low-energy design strategies contributes to reduced operational energy demand and supports long-term environmental performance.
