Finalist in The Plan Award 2023, category "Education-Completed"

The design for the new Rita Levi Montalcini Primary School in Porto Potenza Picena stems from the idea of creating a building capable of meeting the needs of contemporary teaching whilst, at the same time, conveying educational values through the architecture itself.
The building is laid out in a C-shape, evoking the gesture of an embrace and sheltering a central garden: the heart of the school. This green space is designed as a recreational area, whilst also serving as a genuine outdoor learning environment, where nature forms an integral part of the educational experience, accompanying the children both during break times and during lessons.
At the centre of the garden stands a statue of a giraffe, an iconic and playful feature that serves as a focal point for the pupils, stimulating their curiosity and imagination.
The communal spaces, both indoors and outdoors, are designed to encourage interaction, socialising and sharing, offering flexible and welcoming environments where learning also means being together, exploring and growing.
With this project, the school becomes much more than a place dedicated to teaching: it is a space that supports personal development, where architecture, nature and pedagogy come together to create an open, inclusive and stimulating learning environment.