CCDSTUDIO finished the Kindergarten Barbapapà in Vignola, Italy with intentional focus on integrating the space into nature.

The ‘Kindergarten Barbapapà’ is is located on the border of an urban development situated on the hill of the city, near the historical center. The aim was to develop an architectural expression with sustainable themes taking influence from its relationship to nature, the natural environment, and the landscape of the emilia romagna region.

The program consists of four classrooms to support 60 children with an exterior raised vegetable garden to create protected spaces for the children. The green deck ensures an interior comfort level which is maintained through thermal insulation. To preserve the environmental landscape, terrain is placed on top of the roof’s wood structure. The system reduces the visual impact of the structure on the site as it carves itself into the hill.

To satisfy the daily needs of the students and faculty, energy is captured through natural resources. The glass openings, used for the length of the facade, permit the sun to filter through the space during different times of the day and to heat the rooms inside. Heat is also captured through geothermal probes which are placed inside the bulkheads to trigger an exchange between the ground and thermal pump, and through photovoltaic panels that are positioned in a compartment on top of the copper roof. Rainwater is also collected in a special tank and reused for irrigation and for the sewage in the restrooms.

Architect: CCDSTUDIO
Photography: Fabio Mantovani