GSMM Architetti

Primary School Extension

Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri

PRIMARY SCHOOL EXTENSION

GSMM Architetti

ARCHITECTS
GSMM Architetti

LOCATION
Senago Milan, Italy

CATEGORY
Refurbishment

PHOTOGRAPHS
Michele Gusmeri

AREA
1220.0 sqm

PROJECT YEAR
2006

BUILDER
Fidea Edilizia Srl

ARCHITECTS IN CHARGE
Giorgio Santagostino, Monica Margarido

ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN TEAM
Giorgio Santagostino, Alessandro Gasparini, Felice Mantovani

BUDGET
975.000,00 euro

Text description provided by architect.

The main objective of the project was to provide the school with new facilities: a refectory, a gym and utility rooms, which would belocated in a new building made of two blocks.

Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri
Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri

The simple structures in which these facilities are accommodated contrast with the surrounding built space.

Their physical mass unmistakably states they belong to a different epoch, but their orientation seems to seek adialogue with the main building and the courtyard of the school.

Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri
Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri

The block where the refectory is housed especially exemplifies the transition between the two architectural languages.

Its main façadeis the only one provided with windows and, looking onto the courtyard, enjoys a direct visual relationship with the common external space from the refectory and the first floor laboratories.

Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri
Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri

The block where the gym is housed, on the contrary, has a more abstract shape: its windowless sides and large skylight highlight its atypical nature and emphasize the distinction between built and natural environments.

The materials we used are economical and durable.They were chosen in order to require low maintenance and to keep ameaning ful dialogue between the parts.

The side that looks onto the courtyard is the only one that has been plastered. The others were left in raw concrete, only partially covered by composite wooden and cement panels orgalvanized metallic mesh.

Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri
Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri
Primary School Extension
© Michele Gusmeri

Climber plants grow along the mesh. The senew green elements demonstrate that the building seeks to reflect the surrounding nature rather than being an intruder.


Primary School Extension
Floor Plan
Primary School Extension
Elevations
Primary School Extension
Section

GSMM Architetti
T +39 02 39620093
GSMM Architetti
Via Privata Paolo e Luigia Arpesani, 4, 20129 Milano MI, Italy