Sforzacosta Preschool

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

Sforzacosta Preschool 

BDR bureau

ARCHITECTS
Bdr Bureau

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Bioedil Progetti

MANUFACTURERS
Arredi 3n, Spazio Arredo

DESIGN TEAM PARTNERS
Alberto Bottero, Simona Della Rocca,

DESIGN TEAM COLLABORATORS
Morena Gagliardi, Alina Salahoru

CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION
Paolo Bianchi

STRUCTURES
Andrea Montagna

SYSTEMS
Gianluca Serpilli, Fabio Serpilli

PEDAGOGUE
Serafino Carli

EXTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
Papa Enrico

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Subissati

PHOTOGRAPHS
Federico Farinatti

AREA
530 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Sforzacosta, Italy

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture, Kindergarten

Text description provided by architect.

The building provides an open educational environment where the interconnectedness of spaces and the relationship between indoor and outdoor areas are part of an educational experience aimed at providing children with numerous opportunities for discovery.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

Designed based on simple typological characteristics and construction solutions, the new preschool is built in wood and consists of a series of disjointed volumes organized beneath an ample pitched roof. 

Constructed in 150 days, the building spans an area of 600 square meters. Since January 2024, it has been accommodating approximately 70 children, divided into 2 preschool sections and 1 nursery section.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

The project is part of the redevelopment program promoted by ABF (Andrea Bocelli Foundation) in collaboration with the Municipality of Macerata. The project involves the construction of a small preschool catering to children aged 0-6, as part of a larger initiative to revitalize a school complex in Macerata, in the district of Sforzacosta.

With the aim of turning contextual constraints - such as a small plot of land and tight construction timelines - into opportunities, the BDR bureau's project adheres to simple typological and construction characteristics.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

The new building takes shape through a system of seemingly disjointed solids and voids, connected by a large pitched roof that defines the footprint of the school and creates a series of threshold spaces between indoor and outdoor environments.

The arrangement of three small, independent, and separate volumes, housing classrooms, offices, and facilities, creates a sequence of spaces with varied forms and proportions.

The result is a porous system that seamlessly integrates with the garden through oblique views facilitated by changes in the roof section.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

The articulation of spaces becomes evident at transitional junctures, where the seamless flow between environments is highlighted.

Within these 'intermediate' spaces bridging the classrooms, various architectural elements—such as a striking portal, a skylight illuminating a double-height area, and a solitary column—emerge as focal points, inviting exploration and discovery due to their deliberate placement and size.

The building accommodates spaces for welcoming families, children, teachers, and educators, along with a music workshop, a sensory workshop for exploring smells and tastes, and a library.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

Within the same area, children can also share mealtime, as the facility is equipped with a fully functional kitchen. The structure is made entirely of wood.

The walls of the internal volumes, as well as the entire façade perimeter, constitute the vertical structures constructed using the platform frame system.

The transparency of the facades allows for the regular rhythm of the vertical supports to be visible from the outside.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

The setback of the facade, resulting from the rotation of the volumes, creates generous covered spaces that also contribute to the passive functioning of the building.

Constructed with entirely recyclable materials, the project has a near-zero energy impact.

The new preschool is part of the school redevelopment project in Sforzacosta, stemming from a competition held in 2022.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti

It's a facet of an initiative led by the ABF Andrea Bocelli Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Macerata, aimed at addressing the shortage of educational spaces in the area.

The project, comprising several phases, witnessed the completion of the preschool in 2023.

The next phase involves the completion of the Educational Hub, which includes the renovation of primary school buildings and the gymnasium in 2024.

Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti
Sforzacosta Preschool
© Federico Farinatti


Sforzacosta Preschool
Site Plan
Sforzacosta Preschool
Site Plan
Sforzacosta Preschool
Ground Floor Plan - Context


Sforzacosta Preschool
Ground Floor Plan
Sforzacosta Preschool
Section A
Sforzacosta Preschool
Section B
Sforzacosta Preschool
Section C


Sforzacosta Preschool
North-East Elevation
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North-West Elevation
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North-West Elevation
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South-West Elevation


Sforzacosta Preschool
Model 1 - Axonometry
Sforzacosta Preschool
Model 2 - Axonometry Structure
Sforzacosta Preschool
Model 3
Sforzacosta Preschool
Model 3