The new Padova Innovation Hub represents a key step in the University of Padua’s strategy to integrate research, education, and entrepreneurship within a single sustainable structure. Designed by Settanta7 and developed within the grounds of Padua's existing fair complex, the project replaces the outdated Pavilion 2 with a building dedicated to technology transfer, engineering education, and start-up incubation. The intervention revitalises a central urban site while minimising land consumption through infill construction, offering a model for responsible urban regeneration in dense city centres.
A compact campus for collaboration and learning
The building spans four levels above ground and includes a green roof accessible for both technical and recreational use. It accommodates 14 classrooms (100–300 seats each), flexible co-working and research spaces, and offices designed for around 3,000 students and staff. The programme also includes laboratories for testing and prototyping, informal gathering zones, and support facilities that encourage collaboration and innovation.
Structure and materials
The Hub’s defining characteristic is its laminated-timber load-bearing structure combined with cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof panels and caisson-type wood ceilings. This hybrid system reduces embodied carbon compared with conventional steel and concrete construction while offering rapid assembly and high precision. Prefabricated elements were manufactured under controlled conditions to minimise waste and site disturbance.
The façade is defined by a rectilinear volume with two projecting wings along the southern elevation, introducing rhythm and shading to the massing. It integrates wood-clad elements, high-performance glazing, and aluminium brise-soleil panels to regulate solar gain and daylight levels. All materials were sourced from PEFC- and FSC-certified suppliers, ensuring traceability and environmental responsibility.
Energy and environmental design
From the outset, the project targeted near-zero energy performance. The envelope achieves high thermal performance through thick cellulose insulation and triple-glazed low-emissivity windows. Passive design strategies include optimised building orientation, controlled window-to-wall ratios, and external shading systems that reduce summer overheating without compromising daylight quality.
Mechanical systems are based on high-efficiency heat pumps integrated with radiant heating and cooling panels embedded in the wood ceilings. Heat recovery ventilation ensures consistent indoor air quality, while smart sensors manage CO2 levels, occupancy-based lighting, and HVAC control. A photovoltaic array on the roof meets a significant share of the building’s operational electricity demand.
Rainwater is collected from the green roof and reused for irrigation and greywater systems, while permeable exterior paving minimises runoff. The roof also contributes to urban biodiversity and helps moderate the microclimate around the building.
Performance and certification
The Padova Hub is expected to achieve energy class A4, the highest under Italian national standards, with a predicted primary energy use below 25 kWh/m²·year. Its embodied-carbon footprint is estimated to be less than half that of a comparable reinforced-concrete building. Life-cycle assessments were carried out to verify sustainability outcomes across construction, use, and end-of-life stages.
