Basilica of knowledge

Elementary and Middle School

The new school in Villa Santina stands as the centerpiece of a national initiative to renew Italy’s school infrastructure, replacing an obsolete building with a contemporary, earthquake-safe structure. Designed in collaboration with De Mattio/Raffin Architects, the “Basilica of Knowledge” brings both primary and secondary schools under one roof, acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire district. The intervention aims to transform the area into a true civic hub, designed to attract not only the local community but also residents from neighboring townships, with the addition of a school canteen and a future expansion of the sports hall.

From an architectural perspective, the building draws inspiration from the Palladian Basilica, seeking harmony and rhythmic order through a rigorous 3.75-meter structural grid. This regularity, which reflects the dimensions of the classrooms, is reinterpreted through a sculpted, undulating facade that modulates natural light to create deep chiaroscuro effects. A deep portico at ground level serves as a sheltered threshold and connects the two independent school entrances, mediating the transition between the school grounds and the newly formed public square.

Inside, the spatial organization follows a mirrored symmetry that keeps the educational paths separate while fostering social interaction in a central polyvalent core dedicated to informal learning. While administrative offices and laboratories occupy the ground floor, the primary educational spaces are elevated to the “piano nobile.” Here, a monumental hall illuminated by square skylights serves as the building’s spine, culminating in learning “living rooms” with large windows that project views toward the surrounding landscape.

The project concludes with a reflection on pedagogical flexibility: classrooms are designed for reconfiguration via sliding doors, while curvilinear insertions break the rigidity of the structural grid to create intimate retreat corners. Architecture thus becomes an educational tool offering a plurality of spatial conditions—alternating between collaborative areas and quiet spaces—to adapt to the diverse rhythms of contemporary learning.

Villa Santina (UD), 2025