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Inspired by the image of a glacier, the building achieves high energy performance by harnessing environmental resources
Designed by MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects, Università della Valle d’Aosta recently inaugurated a new teaching campus in Aosta. Located in Via Monte Vodice, just a stone’s throw from downtown Aosta, the facility is an important example of contemporary architecture collaborating with landscape and climate in a project that combines technological innovation and learning.
Aosta’s snowy Alpine landscape is reflected in the shapes and colors of the new building. Inspired by the image of a glacier, the design delivers excellent energy performance. An analysis of local weather patterns was the fundamental first step in creating this climate-responsive building that provides effective protection from changing weather conditions, while harnessing environmental resources to support its operation.
MCA’s project involved restoring and repurposing the main buildings of the former Testafochi Barracks, and the creation of a campus able to accommodate 2000 students. This new facility strengthens the university’s teaching activities and expands its green spaces, while creating synergies with its urban setting.
Dubbed Palazzina ex Zerboglio, the new building has four aboveground and two belowground floors. The geometries and materials of the façade change according to the level and elevation, becoming thinner from the second floor upwards to provide optimal natural lighting in the classrooms. The architecture distances itself from the rigidity of the existing buildings, with organic forms that almost seem stolen from nature.
At street level are a cafeteria and the entry to the main hall, located to connect with the Jardin de l’Autonomie plaza. The classrooms are on the upper floors, with views over the city.
The belowground levels have equipment rooms, two computer labs, a study room, and the main hall, which seats up to 176 people with adequate space for maintenance and equipment.
The façade is the defining element of the project, both dialoguing with the outdoor spaces and making the building a landmark and a significant addition to the urban landscape. The different treatment of the façade where it faces the city and where it overlooks the plaza required a framed envelope for the latter. This comprises metal arches and horizontal acrylic stone boxes, which act as a supporting structure for the glass and opaque sections of the façade, while also providing effective shading.
Structurally, the building comprises large reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete walls. This made it possible to create large spaces without load-bearing elements and, therefore, streamlining the arrangement of classrooms.
Large variations in daily and seasonal temperatures, combined with solar exposure, led the architects to opt for compact volumes with high thermal insulation. The integrated design of the building’s envelope and services reduces energy consumption while allowing the use of renewable energy sources.
Location: Aosta, Italy
Client: SIV ‒ Société Infrastructures Valdôtaines
Completion: 2024
Site Area: 52,000 m2
Gross Floor Area (Zerboglio building): 7500 m2
Architect: MCA ‒ Mario Cucinella Architects
Principal Designer: Mario Cucinella
Project Director: Giulio Desiderio
Project Leader: Donato Labella
Design Leader: Michele Olivieri
Modelling Unit Manager: Yuri Costantini
Architectural Project Partners: Studio Pession Associato, Tetrastudio, Studio Rosset e Associati
Consultants
Structural: Sintecna
Services Engineering: Golder Associates, Metec & Saggese, Energy Services
Fire Protection, Safety: Giuseppe Amaro
Visual Design: Engram Studio
Photography by Duccio Malagamba, courtesy of MCA ‒ Mario Cucinella Architects
