The university residence in Bologna, designed by TECO+partners, is located in the San Donato district, near the historical seat of the University. It joins a social scenario characterized by changing lifestyles, changing forms of coexistence, where the new living models become an important aspect of students’ education, inserting them in a system of relations and contributing strongly to their social growth.

The building develops along a high traffic road and its long side overlooks the street. The shape of the building was strongly conditioned by the masterplan of the Ex Ferrovia Veneta authority, which defined a highly compact, non-modifiable volume. In order to cope with this restriction, the design dissimulates it, fragmenting the stereometric mass of the building with triangular balconies, never identical to one another. Their geometry is developed symmetrically, from the centre of the façade towards the edges, with progressively different angles.

The light, which is reflected unevenly by the balconies, dematerializes the grey mass of the building, which thereby appears lighter. The effect is emphasized by the parapets – made with iridescent cold galvanized perforated steel sheeting – and the vertical, semi-translucent polycarbonate panels connecting the balconies, which set up an asynchronous rhythm that further complicates the play of reflections and transparencies.

The building consists of four storeys: the ground floor houses the common functions, such as study rooms, collective kitchens, spaces dedicate to free time and physical activity, whereas upper floors contain sleeping accommodation for 60 students, distributed into ten apartments. The basement houses a garage and three large bicycle storages, with a zone intended for maintenance and cleaning (with spaces for work, meters and recharging points). The exteriors alternates green and paved areas.

 

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