Punto Luce Socio-Educational Center

English description provided by the architects.

The new Punto Luce of Save the Children in Milan IS a socio-educational center dedicated to children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17.

As the first building constructed from the ground up by Save the Children, it aims to become a point of reference for the Gallaratese district: a place for sharing and functionality, offering opportunities to participate in educational and training activities as well as workshops.

A central aspect of the design process was engaging with schools—key partners in identifying and supporting children at high risk of educational deprivation—as well as families, teenagers, and local organisations, following the model implemented by Save the Children across its centers throughout Italy.

"From the outset, we initiated a co-design process with Save the Children and the area's main stakeholders: teachers, NGOs, and civil society organisations. We engaged with the local youth community to ensure that their ideas and needs were at the core of project planning.

All of these contributions informed and shaped the final design," explain the architects at AOUMM. The new Punto Luce, made possible through the demolition of the old structure, stands out for its organic and geometrically complex form.

Sustainable choices are prioritised: a green roof and photovoltaic system, a prefabricated timber structure, and the reuse of the existing basement and foundations—all contribute to reducing the environmental and social impact of the construction process.

Various types of untreated wood were used in the project: fir for the columns and load-bearing structure, okoumé and larch for the external cladding.

The latter, chosen for its warm, pinkish hues, was also selected for how it ages over time—exposed to the sun, it will naturally change colour and appearance, expressing an architecture that gracefully ages and narrates the passage of time.

The adoption of an open prefabrication system significantly reduced construction time, with the entire process completed in approximately 12 months. Due to its lighter weight compared to the previous structure, the new building was erected on the original foundations, avoiding extensive excavation, demolition, and reconstruction work.

The building is conceived as a public, open, and permeable space, placing the neighbourhood's youth community at its core. The central courtyard and surrounding garden are designed as extensions of the interior spaces, creating a protected environment that ensures strong continuity between indoors and outdoors.

Skylights provide natural daylighting, reducing the need for artificial light. They are equipped with sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels, opening automatically to enhance natural ventilation.

These passive strategies contribute to energy efficiency while improving occupant comfort and well-being.

A rainwater harvesting system has been installed for irrigation, alongside high-efficiency HVAC systems, an air quality monitoring system integrated with the roof windows, a DALI2 smart lighting system, and a photovoltaic power plant.

The building's perimeter is punctuated by large glazed openings that create a visual connection between the indoor spaces—dedicated to educational workshops, music, theatre, reading, digital activities, and multipurpose use—and the outdoor areas intended for play and recreational activities.