SCUOLA FORTINI

The project involves extension works, functional upgrading and safety improvements for the Fortini Kindergarten, aimed at creating a new 0–6 early childhood education hub. The intervention is part of those funded under PNRR Mission 4: Education and Research.

The building involved in the project, dating back to the early 1980s, currently houses the Fortini Kindergarten and the Tartaruga play space. The school is developed on a single above-ground level, with rooms arranged around a central corridor surrounding an internal courtyard that is currently underused.

The extension, functional upgrading and safety improvement project for the Fortini Kindergarten was developed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Transformation of the complex into a 0–6 education hub, with an increase in the number of children accommodated;
2. Extension of the building complex through the creation of new spaces to accommodate a new kitchen, new educational areas and service rooms supporting the new function of the school complex.
3. Seismic upgrading of the structure;
4. Energy retrofit with an improvement of two energy classes, from G to E;

To enable the transformation of the facility into a 0–6 education hub, a number of interventions were planned to functionally reorganize the interior spaces, together with an extension of the gross floor area by approximately 180 sqm in order to accommodate a new canteen and new educational spaces.
As the project area is subject to landscape protection restrictions, the intervention was designed with particular attention to its architectural form, the materials used, and its relationship with the existing building, the surrounding landscape context and its intended use.

The project is based on principles of sustainability and reduced environmental impact. The extension volumes are designed with very high energy performance, where the very low energy demand is covered primarily by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof.

The project also complies with CAM regulations (Minimum Environmental Criteria) throughout all phases of the construction process. Materials with a high recycled content were selected, with reduced environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of the building.

Finally, particular attention was given to the design of comfort and acoustic insulation in order to provide new school spaces that are efficient and comfortable for both students and staff.