In the heart of Lozzo Atestino, the Valbona Early Childhood Education Centre stands as a notable example of contemporary civic architecture. It replaces an existing building with a new structure that successfully combines educational needs with a sensitive response to its historical and landscape context. Designed by Colucci&Partners Architettura, the complex brings together a nursery (ages 0–3) and a preschool (ages 3–6) within a single integrated system, creating a cohesive and inclusive learning environment.
The project is based on a cluster-based organizational principle, where autonomous functional units coexist and interact within a broader system. While maintaining their distinct identities, the two school sections are connected through a network of shared spaces, including porticoes, loggias, and a large park, encouraging interaction among children, educators, and families. The central agoras are conceived as fluid, continuous environments that naturally support the different stages of early education while ensuring the flexibility required by contemporary teaching methods.
Rather than imposing a dominant formal gesture, the design adopts a balanced architectural language that responds thoughtfully to the Valbona context. Through careful attention to proportions, materials, and colors, the building integrates harmoniously into its surroundings, establishing a dialogue with local historical landmarks such as the Church of San Rocco and the nearby medieval castle. The result is an architecture that extends the narrative of the place, reinforcing visual and cultural continuity with the existing fabric.
Interior spaces are designed to foster well-being, curiosity, and interaction. The nursery is organized into three independent sections, each with direct access to the park, strengthening the relationship between learning and nature. Its central space features a pitched ceiling that recalls the archetypal form of a house, creating a warm and reassuring atmosphere.
The preschool is arranged around a large central agora, from which a connective space leads to the various learning areas. Here, a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a vibrant color palette contribute to a dynamic and stimulating environment designed to spark children’s imagination. Outside, the park is enhanced by a multifunctional structure conceived as an open-air theatre for educational and community activities.
The Valbona Early Childhood Education Centre thus emerges as a true cultural and social hub, where architectural quality and sensitivity to the landscape translate into a space capable of fostering relationships, supporting learning, and strengthening a sense of community.
For more information, visit www.colucciandpartners.it
CREDITS
Project: Valbona Early Childhood Education Centre
Studio: Colucci&Partners Architettura
Location: Valbona, Lozzo Atestino (PD), Italy
Year: 2024
Photography: Carlotta Di Sandro
