Primary school L. Cornaro, Cittadella (PD). Energy retrofit and seismic upgrade

• Year: 2025
• Location: Cittadella (PD), Italy
• Client: Municipality of Cittadella
• Area: approx. 6,000 sqm
• Service: feasibility study and technical-economic project

The project originates from the need to carry out the energy retrofit and seismic upgrading of the primary school, built between the late 1990s and the early 2000s.
The school building, consisting of 24 classrooms, is developed on a single level and organized into multiple interconnected blocks, respectively housing classrooms, a gymnasium, offices, and the assembly hall. All spaces are connected by a large central atrium, which also accommodates the cafeteria. The project aims to integrate interventions on the systems, envelope, and structures within an architectural design that also enhances the school's visual identity, stimulating students through the use of color* associated with functional areas while reinforcing the original spatial concept.
The project strongly reinforces the relationship between classrooms, common areas, and outdoor green spaces, allowing their use for both educational and recreational purposes and significantly improving the quality of life for both students and school staff.
Energy efficiency measures on openings, including sunshades and canopies, together with the seismic reinforcement carried out with external concrete buttresses, represent not only the most economically and technically advantageous solution but also an opportunity to give the school a strong architectural and identity-focused character.
The project is developed in compliance with CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria) principles.

*The school's color scheme project uses color as a tool to promote learning, well-being, and the identity of the spaces. In the classrooms, white predominates, symbolizing creativity and freedom, while the primary colors blue, yellow, and red are used to evoke harmony, activity, and energy.
The central block and the main hall combine blue and yellow to foster harmony, social interaction, and energy.
Staff areas use green for calmness and balance, and red for educational passion.
The gym reflects the colors of the Olympics, symbolizing dynamism and team spirit.
Overall, the color system enhances the quality of the spaces, supporting teaching, relationships, and well-being.