Valle d’Aosta University Campus A new landmark for the city of Aosta MCA’s intervention, in a neuralgic area close to the historical center of Aosta, envisages the conservation and recovery of the main existing buildings of the Ex Caserma Testafochi, and the construction of three new buildings. The project, strongly recognizable as a landmark of the contemporary city of Aosta, while respecting the original planimetric layout, revolutionizes the entire area by opening it up to the city. The buildings will house the spaces for teaching and common activities of the several faculties, which will accommodate approximately 2000 students.
The project for the new campus for the University of Valle d’Aosta is an example of how it is possible to design contemporary architecture that is compatible with the surrounding landscape and the local climate. Colors and features create a strong visual tie with the snow-covered alpine landscape, while differentiating itself from the extreme rigidity of the pre-existing former military building, the form also lends itself to achieving high energy performance standards.
It aims to become one of the first one of the first public buildings in Italy to achieve the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) rating. Sustainability Strategies A building is climate-responsive when it provides effective protection from extreme weather conditions while at the same time using renewable environmental resources to support its functions.
The careful analysis of the local climactic conditions was thus a fundamental part of the design process, including identifying possible advantages and problematic aspects of the site itself through the study of the sun paths, shade and shadow patterns, and exposure to prevailing winds. The shade and shadow analysis also revealed the shadow cast by the mountains to the south of the project area, which further limits the amount of solar radiation reaching the site during the winter. The quest to optimize the forms led to a solution in which the new construction would not reduce, if not by a negligible amount, the solar access of the surrounding buildings.
The elevated daily and seasonal temperature ranges of the local climate, together with the factors described above, oriented the design toward very compact volumes with excellent thermal insulation. Integrating the design of the building envelopes with the building services made it possible to ensure low energy consumption and the use of renewable energy sources.
The façade system is the most distinctive element of the building, and the most emblematic in terms of the building’s relationship with the exterior spaces. The façade facing the city is treated differently from the façade facing the piazza. In this case, where the building overlooks the circulation spaces, a framework was devised consisting of metal ribs supported at the ground level and balconies at the upper levels, plus horizontal box beams in Corian.
Category:Green ArchitectureYear:2024Location: Aosta, ItalyArchitects:Mario Cucinella ArchitectsDesign Team:Mario Cucinella, Giulio Desiderio, Donato Labella, Michele Olivieri, Julissa Gutarra, Nada Balestri, David Hirsh, Rigoberto Arambula, Fabrizio Bonatti, Luca Stramigioli, Davide Stolfi, Giulia Pentella, Alberto Bruno, and Yuri CostantiniClient:NUV - Nuova University ValdostanaPhotographers:Duccio Malagamba
