Parco Ottavi Early Childhood Center

A space for learning

The Parco Ottavi Early Childhood Centre is conceived as a new educational space for the city of Reggio Emilia. The project, currently under construction, will include three nursery sections and two preschool sections.

The design places spatial quality at the centre of the educational experience, translating the principles of the internationally recognised Reggio Emilia Approach into architecture.
Space, relationships and learning

The building is organised around a covered square, which acts as both the main distribution space and a place for gathering.
Alongside the educational sections, the project includes ateliers, a glazed kitchen and a winter garden, conceived as spaces for exploration and as a connection between indoor and outdoor activities.

Sustainability as a design principle

The project was developed through a bioclimatic approach, with the aim of creating an NZEB building compliant with Italy’s CAM environmental criteria and the DNSH principle required by the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).

Design choices addressed both the building envelope and resource management: an extensive green roof, vegetation integrated into the facades, permeable outdoor surfaces, sustainable urban drainage systems and rainwater recovery. Each solution was assessed in relation to environmental performance and overall comfort.

Integrated BIM design

Architectural, structural and building systems design were developed in a coordinated way, entirely within a BIM environment, to ensure consistency between disciplines and performance verification from the preliminary design phases.

Construction supervision and safety coordination are currently ongoing, with continuous oversight of site activities.

Watch the project presentation video

Project funded by the national plan Futura – The School for Tomorrow’s Italy

Render: Stefano Barbieri

Press review:
Il Resto del Carlino
Stampa Reggiana
Telereggio
24 Emilia
Reggionline