Noventa Vicentina Kindergarten: Architecture & Learning

An Architectural Design Focused on the Educational Experience

In Noventa Vicentina, the new kindergarten redefines the concept of education by integrating architecture with children’s growth and discovery experiences. The building is not merely a space for learning; it acts as an active partner in fostering curiosity and innovation, leveraging a design that seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor environments.

Location and Area

The project is situated on a 2,300 m² plot, with a built-up area of only around 750 m², reflecting a commitment to providing open and flexible spaces for interaction and play. The building features a compact yet spacious design, directing attention towards the large eastern garden, which serves as the green heart of the project and a key area for outdoor experiences.

Facade and Light Dynamics

The exterior facade is one of the most striking elements of the design, painted in a vibrant blue that creates a continuous visual connection with the sky and surrounding landscapes. Additionally, the building’s slanted angles generate shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day, adding a sense of movement and depth to the architecture while enhancing the children’s experience within the kindergarten.

Exterior facade of Noventa Vicentina kindergarten in vibrant blue with angled surfaces creating changing patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

Interior Organization and Spatial Functions

Inside the building, the architectural layout is organized around two main functional zones, reflecting a commitment to meeting both the educational and social needs of children and the community.

Open Spaces and Community Activities

The first zone hosts public open spaces, including flexible workshops that can be adapted to accommodate a variety of community activities. These spaces are seamlessly integrated with easily accessible service areas, facilitating daily use and enhancing interaction between children and community members.

Daily Life in the Kindergarten

The second zone focuses on children’s daily activities, organized around two independent groups of classrooms. Each group includes separate facilities and covered outdoor spaces, providing a safe and fully integrated educational experience.

The layout also incorporates a nap room, along with a support area containing a storage room and a laundry space, ensuring a complete educational environment prepared for all daily needs.

Noventa Vicentina kindergarten project showcases architectural design integrating natural light, interior pathways, classrooms, and outdoor spaces to enhance children's learning experience.

Corridors and Experiential Pathways

The wide, luminous corridors play a central role in the kindergarten’s design, functioning as experiential pathways and spaces for play and social interaction. Natural light penetrates these corridors through large openings, creating direct visual connections with the garden and reinforcing the sense of continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces, emphasizing the integration of the built environment with nature.

Light Control and Thermal Comfort

Canopies and shading systems help regulate sun exposure, ensuring thermal comfort throughout the year. Additionally, integrated technologies allow for continuous monitoring of indoor microclimatic conditions, in accordance with NZEB standards, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency.

Architecture as an Educational and Sustainable Element

The project represents a tangible investment in educational quality and territorial sustainability, offering an environment that emphasizes well-being, natural light, and connection to the surroundings. This kindergarten is more than just a building; it is a small educational landscape where architecture, nature, and color intersect with pedagogy, transforming each school day into an experience of discovery, growth, and play, fostering curiosity and interactive learning among children.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

It can be observed that the kindergarten project in Noventa Vicentina presents several positive elements, such as attention to natural light, the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the clear organization of educational areas, all of which provide an environment that stimulates interaction and growth among children. The use of slanted angles and open facades also reflects a deliberate attempt to integrate architecture with the user experience.

However, there are several aspects that may require reconsideration or future development. For instance, the wide, luminous corridors might be excessive for some of the children’s daily activities, potentially reducing space efficiency and raising questions about how sound and movement are managed in a busy educational environment. Similarly, while there is a clear commitment to sustainability and NZEB standards, the integration of technology for monitoring indoor climate still requires careful oversight to ensure long-term effectiveness. Additionally, relying on two independent classroom groups may limit flexibility in redistributing activities or accommodating future changes in student numbers, posing challenges for adapting the design to evolving needs.

Overall, the project can be considered an important starting point for understanding how architecture can be integrated with education and children’s daily experiences. It also highlights the need for minor improvements in space management and operational flexibility to ensure maximum long-term benefit from the design, especially in diverse educational contexts.