Competition for the redevelopment of the Don Bosco School area in Brescia
Italy
An ambitious project to rethink the Don Bosco school area as a new civic and cultural hub, combining education, community life, and environmental sustainability.
Year
2023
Project goals
The proposal envisions the creation of a new school campus and community hub in the Don Bosco neighborhood of Brescia, transforming the existing school area into an urban, social, and environmental landmark. Not just a school, but a true civic center designed to connect citizens, students, and families—open to both the neighborhood and the city.
Site conditions
The project context, marked by urban fragmentation and weak relationships between public spaces, requires a strong and inclusive vision. The site includes existing school buildings (a gymnasium and a kindergarten) and large underutilized open spaces, offering significant potential for urban and environmental regeneration.
Design approach
The concept is organized on two functional levels: the ground floor hosts public and community-oriented spaces (auditorium, library, gym, fab lab), while the first floor is dedicated to classrooms—protected and safe, yet visually connected with the outdoors. A modular timber system links all existing and new buildings, fostering permeability between interior and exterior, between school and city. A new central square, pedestrian and cycling paths, and open spaces for sports, learning, and social activities complete the intervention.
Details and materials
Special attention has been given to bioclimatic design and sustainability: the buildings feature ventilated facades, integrated photovoltaic panels, shed roofs for natural lighting, and passive ventilation systems. The timber structural system, together with natural and certified materials such as linoleum and eco-wood flooring, ensures comfort, efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. Green spaces play a central role: urban gardens, shaded areas, thematic gardens, and a large urban park strengthen the connection between education and landscape.
