studio milani cantilevers the whale primary school above landscape

studio milani cantilevers the whale primary school above landscape
photo © pietro savorelli
all images courtesy of studio milani

an analysis of road junctions and functional expectations has led studio milani to create their design for ‘the whale primary school’ in tuscany, italy. despite being connected, a unitary system allows the addition and the existing structure to maintain their own autonomy while the formal symbiosis allows for continuous paths of circulation. in this conjunction, the elementary school undergoes a compression to the east, allowing for the improvement of streets to and from the new public square in the heart of the complex. the shape of the lot has the characteristic of being partially embedded in a hillside, placing the boulevard 18 meters above its location.

A closed courtyard allow children to play safely and in a domestic environment
photo © pietro savorelli

on the project, the architects say, ‘the altitude of the site imposed an uncomfortable way we relate to the land because a primary school, by its nature, must be able to develop on one level or even two levels provided that there is a minimal slope on the ramps.’ not being able to construct the building on one level from the entrance, a second lower occupance was formed that could accommodate six sections and at the same time, relate properly to the built environment. from a compositional point of view, the new school was conceived as a square, which works with the carvings of the hillside and changes of verticality necessary for the programs of the interior: services for faculty, connecting corridors, classrooms and laboratories. the only volume on the upper floor is a translucent multi-purpose hall, introduced as a foreign element, which uses trusses to cantilever over the surrounding context.

the multi-purpose hall is the main highlight of the design at night
photo © pietro savorelli

view from the multipurpose room from below
photo © pietro savorelli

a wide and bright hallway distributes to classrooms and the courtyard
photo © pietro savorelli

from the road, with the multipurpose room makes itself known within the context
photo © pietro savorelli

the main cantilevered volumes from the inside
photo © pietro savorelli

at night, the building plays with light as transparent and opaque surfaces are made with u-glass frames
photo © pietro savorelli

the design from the city below

the main cantilevered volumes from the outside
photo © pietro savorelli

the school inserted in the landscape of sinalunga
photo © pietro savorelli

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