Design of the Paolo VI Oratory in Camignone
Italy
A new heart for the community, between nature, education, and sustainable architecture.
Year
2019
Project goals
The aim of the project is to create a modern and functional oratory able to meet the spiritual, social, and educational needs of the community. The project seeks to promote inclusion, a sense of belonging, and respect for the environment, giving new life to a central area of the village through an integrated, accessible, and sustainable architecture. The development is planned in three phases to ensure continuity and long-term sustainability.
Site conditions
The intervention site is currently occupied by outdated and poorly functional structures: an obsolete oratory lacking identity, small and deteriorated changing rooms, and a green area left unused due to the steep slope. Although the adjacent parish theater is in poor condition, its architectural and symbolic value has been recognized, making it an integral part of the new project vision.
Design approach
The new oratory is “hidden” into the hillside to reduce its visual impact and encourage harmonious integration with nature and the historical context. The internal layout is based on simple, rational modules that can be easily adapted to future needs. Spaces are designed to be bright, flexible, and accessible, organized around five green courtyards that bring natural light and ventilation into the building. The theater is enhanced and complemented by a new service volume. The intervention also includes the redesign of the park and recreational areas, making the complex a true center of community life.
Details and materials
The project makes extensive use of natural and local materials: Franciacorta stone, plastered brickwork, and exposed concrete. The oratory roof becomes an accessible lawn, blending with the surrounding landscape. The construction system is designed to maximize thermal and energy performance: high-performance insulation, radiant floors, controlled mechanical ventilation, photovoltaic system, and the use of geothermal energy from groundwater. The new building is designed according to seismic and fire safety standards, ensuring durability, safety, and environmental sustainability.
