Educational Centre in Parma by Enrico Molteni

The design of a 2450 m² education centre on the university campus in the south of Parma brings together different uses under one roof. The complex, designed by Enrico Molteni, is made up of two mirror images of each other. One part serves as a crèche and kindergarten, while the opposite twin houses various facilities to support children at risk.

The two square structures form a common courtyard. © Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of Enrico Molteni Architecture

The division into two parts is not visible from the outside: The building presents itself as a single-storey wooden pavilion with a transparent appearance. Large, wraparound glass facades create a smooth transition between inside and out. At the same time, the openness emphasises the supporting structure, which consists of a filigree roof panel and slightly inclined columns. The latter are made of cross-laminated timber and define a 5 m high, circumferential forecourt as a transition between the campus and the building. The inclination of the columns acts as a bracing to avoid any intersections.

Inside, the light-flooded building is criss-crossed by circulation routes. © Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of Enrico Molteni Architecture

The two square structures of the timber pavilion form a common courtyard. It acts as a link between the two parts of the building and can be used as an outdoor classroom or a place for socialising. Inside, the 72 rooms are organised as a grid-like jigsaw puzzle. The positioning of the glass doors creates visual axes through the sections of the building, providing an additional link. This is further enhanced by the continuous grey PVC flooring, wood fibre acoustic ceilings and suspended aluminium grid ceiling. The result is a unity in diversity that allows for complex usage scenarios.