School Complex for primary and high school – Grosseto
Preliminary design proposal
project contractor: Gecoprogetti s.r.l.
project leader: eng. Milton Biliotti; arch. Alba Lamacchia; arch. Jacopo FAVARA; arch. Micaela GIORDANO
Client: Action comitee for school construction “Tirassegno”
Cost: € 5.970.500,00
2008

The preliminary design proposal for a School Complex (primary and high school) intend to achieve three targets:
- to unify two schools in one building
- to differentiate specific functions between the different schools
- to harmonize the new building to the existing context

Unify two schools in one building
Unifying two schools in one building means less construction and management costs, less land waste and, consequently, the chance for more equipped public spaces for public use. Besides, with a single building we can have a more effective energy saving.
Inside the functional layout, the gymnasium is a sort of hinge between the two schools and, furthermore, it can be used independently from outside the complex, through the open sports ground situated inside a structure of metal wire: “the aviary”. This volumetric presence characterize the main front of the complex, creates a public space open to citizens and separates the schools from the traffic.

Differentiate specific functions between the different schools
Unifying two schools in one building creates the need to separate specific functions; the two entrances are separated by “the aviary” and characterized by their architectonic form: while the primary school’s entrance is in accordance with children “size”, the high school’s one is outlined by a porch.

Harmonize the new building to the existing context
Since an architectural work creates process instead of objects, a new school complex becomes the key element in the re-design of this part of town. The new building system outlines new spaces all around available for the inhabitants, connects the surroundings and makes an area at the city outskirts relevant as a public space; also for this reason the schools layouts are conceived in order to allow the inhabitants to use some spaces for group and family activities such as film projections, conferences, children parties or a sport happening.