The design for the new Feltre High School was conceived with the intention of integrating harmoniously into the context of the Valbelluna, combining technological innovation and contemporary language with the typical characters of the place. We wanted to recreate the image of a small valley village, integrated into the landscape, consisting of four distinct but connected thematic volumes.
The building's four volumes are connected by an enclosed and equipped connective space designed to meet winter weather requirements. This connective space houses the agora and library, becoming the beating heart of the institute.
Flexibility is a key element of the design. We alternated rooms of different sizes, some open and some closed, to allow a versatile teaching approach, capable of oscillating between traditional methods and a cooperative "hands on" model. Each room visually opens up to spaces for informal relationships and activities or silent research, encouraging dynamic and interconnected learning.
The heart of the building is a large "habitable" staircase, designed with steps capable of accommodating the entire school community, whether for large events or for moments of recess or unstructured educational activities. This staircase is not only a functional element, but also a symbolic one: it represents the monumentality of education and the dynamism of a school community that moves between high and low, in virtuous cultural and educational paths.
The intervention aims to enhance the local architectural and landscape heritage while promoting an innovative and sustainable vision of the school of the future. With this project, we wanted to create a building that not only responds to educational needs, but also inspires and reflects the cultural and natural richness of the Valbelluna.
Winning project at the OICE 2024 Awards - wood works project category