A new space for sociality and integration after the deep wound of the earthquake in Norcia, which was severely damaged by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake on 30 October 2016. With Politecnica’s expertise, Norcia recovers its school campus and social, inclusion and aggregation engine with a green heart.
The new Norcia school complex involves the replacement of school buildings and gyms in the area behind the walled city of Norcia, in close contact with other elements of interest, such as the Norcia Hospital and the naturalistic area of the Norcia Marcite.
Politecnica is the leader of the group of professionals responsible for the design and supervision of the works, in charge of general and IT coordination (BIM project), the design of the mechanical, electrical and special systems and external networks, as well as the supervision of the works. A single complex to house several school facilities: the Primary School (10 classrooms for 200 pupils), the First Level Secondary School (9 classrooms 180 pupils), the Second Level Secondary School (20 classrooms divisible into 25 for 375 students). In addition, the construction of a structure to be used as a school gymnasium and area for sports events is planned.
The new school and sports centre will also be a local community centre. Developing around the axis of Valnerina street, it will create a large pedestrian square, partly covered.
This is where the auditorium, library, large canteen, cafeteria and a double-height space called the Te-atrium are located. These rooms are also available to the community during extra-school hours; in addition to the main entrance to the common area, each school has in fact a dedicated secondary entrance that allows for total functional independence.
The new school complex in Norcia will be built mainly using 'dry' systems, in order to limit the size of the construction site, the production of dust and noise, construction time and costs. The buildings of the new school complex are classified as "strategic buildings", they are therefore designed to resist and still be used even in the event of violent earthquakes.
An urban and social project before being a building project: the spatial and distributive solutions adopted derive from the most modern research studies, the interiors guarantee high comfort thanks to indirect natural lighting and the use of radiant floors. The school buildings are integrated into the social life of the complex, but have total functional independence thanks to dedicated secondary entrances.
The intervention is carried out according to the principles of bioclimatic architecture. It foresees the use of renewable sources in the buildings, through solar and passive ventilation systems and technologies, and through the installation of active solar systems, such as photovoltaic panels, for the production of electricity and solar collectors for the production of hot water, in order to create an energy self-sufficient school complex.
As well as providing protection from the rain and shade, the roof of the square will house a large proportion of the photovoltaics needed to make the school buildings energy self-sufficient.
The Technical and Financial Feasibility Study (PFTE) was shared and discussed with the entire community of Norcia: the municipal administration, the local and provincial school management, the special commissioner for reconstruction and citizens' associations.
All the design choices aim to create a new "city centre" to complement the old town centre currently being rebuilt: a permeable public space, characterised by squares and avenues full of greenery, capable of dialoguing with the historic and natural landscape.