Kindergarten in Guastalla | Mario Cucinella Architects

MCA project won the Architectural Competition held in February 2014 for the design and build of the new School in Guastalla District (Reggio Emilia, Italy). The new building will replace two existed schools damaged by the earthquake which stuck the territory in May 2012 and will host up to 120 boys and girls between 0 and 3 years old.MCA project is thought to stimulate the child’s interaction with the surrounding space according to a vision of “teaching” in which nothing is left to chance, from the distribution of educational areas to the choice of materials of construction, up to the integration between indoor and outside space.

photography by © Moreno Maggi

Architectural elements of the new kindergarten by MCA – like the shape of the interior, their organization, the choice of materials, all the sensory perceptions related to the light, the colors, the sounds, the tactile suggestions – are designed taking into account of the pedagogical and educational related to the growth of the child.The structure involves the use of natural materials with low environmental impact. In particular, the supporting structure is made ​​up of wooden frame: a safe and ideal material to keep the thermal insulation of the building.

photography by © Moreno Maggi

The high insulation, the optimal distribution of transparent surfaces, the use of advanced systems for rainwater harvesting and insertion of a photovoltaic system on the roof, will allow the building to minimize the use of mechanical equipment to meet the energy needs of the school. So children are driven to discover places that are complex and at the same time familiar, where they can develop abilities through special features of each.

photography by © Moreno Maggi

Even areas of connection between the classrooms and laboratories are designed to be lived with curiosity and pleasure: along the route there are widening, play and relationship areas, niches where you can stop, transparent elements to watch out or peek activities the other children.

Starting from the internal signs, it also articulated the sensory journey outside the building, which integrates the existing trees and encompasses the structure creating protected areas for the activities of the children, educators and parents.

photography by © Moreno Maggi

Project Info :

Architects : Mario Cucinella Architects
Project Year : 2015
Acoustic :  Enrico Manzi
Project Area : 1400.0 sqm
Photographs : Moreno Maggi
Suppliers : Saitec Company srl
Doors and Windows : Promo SpA
Rendering : Cristian Chierici – CC79
Wooden Structure : Rubner Holzbau SpA
Landscaping consultancy : Marilena Baggio
Project Location : 42016 Guastalla RE, Italy
Structures :Geoequipe Studio Tecnico Associato
Electrical and mechanical Design : Area Engineering srl
Architects in Charge : Mario Cucinella, Marco dell’Agli
Construction Works : Scisciani e Frascarelli Impresa Edile
Design Team : Alberto Casarotto, Irene Sapenza, Alberto Bruno, Yuri Costantini (model maker)