The project for the new "D. Pelagalli" school in Castel Maggiore was conceived with the intention of creating a new knowledge hub for the city. Our ambition was not only to build a school building, but also to connect this area with some of the neighboring attractive poles, such as the "N. Calipari" park, the "J. M. Keynes" State Institute and the "N. Ginzburg" Municipal Library. We wanted this new school to become a key element in the future "Knowledge Hub" of Castel Maggiore.
The particular Zig-Zag shape of the building stems from the need to redevelop a portion of the area with obvious critical issues, while providing a space for the community to meet and exchange. The intersection of the volumes creates free and wide spaces, ideal for hosting different functions and activities. The inclination of the volumes is not accidental: it is designed to connect the school with the surrounding context, enhancing the accesses and transforming them into real urban headboards, visual and functional landmarks for the community.
We designed the volumes so that as they rotated and shifted between each other, they created ever-changing atmospheres and views, both inside and outside the building. This architectural dynamism enhances the synergy with the surrounding green areas, which extend to the next floors up to the rooftops, creating a continuum between nature and the built environment.
Our goal with this project was not just to build a school, but to create a place that would be at the center of community life, a landmark that would stimulate interaction and cultural growth for all citizens of Castel Maggiore.