A drop of water. A new spatial identity for a fragmented area.
For us, the Castel Volturno School Citadel represents an iconic project, a unique architectural work that redesigns the spatial identity of a fragmented area. This citadel, the largest school complex in Italy, stands as the main cultural hub in the area, welcoming thousands of students in a state-of-the-art educational environment. Our design philosophy is based on an innovative approach to educational spaces, where every detail is designed to meet the needs of students and foster an extraordinary learning experience.
The Citadel's formal inspiration stems from the image of a drop of water, a symbol of fluidity and transformation. The plan of the building develops from this drop, expanding and compacting on the earth to generate an organic, sinuous form. This form houses three main macro-areas: the Garibaldi Institute, the Castel Volturno Centro Institute and the gymnasium, creating a coherent and integrated environment, where each space is interconnected and part of a whole.
We wanted the architecture of the Citadel to reflect the uninterrupted fluidity of the waters of the Volturno River. For this reason, the building is characterized by a continuous spatiality, where traditional architectural elements dissolve into a single fluid surface. This "architectural skin" with continuous distortions is not only an aesthetic appeal, but also a symbolic one, evoking the constant interaction between land and water, nature and the built environment.
The School Citadel is not just a school building; it is a place that aims to reinforce in its young users the values of identity and community. Every design choice was made with the intention of creating an environment that not only educates, but inspires and unites. The integration of innovation, sustainability and a deep respect for the environmental and man-made context has guided every phase of our work, culminating in a complex that is as functional as it is symbolic, representing a new chapter for the Castel Volturno community.
Winning project at the OICE 2024 Awards - project of the year 2024 category