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Bologna Business School unveils the campus of the future

Set in the hills of Bologna, the new structure extends the historic Villa Guastavillani

MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects

Bologna Business School in Bologna
By Editorial Staff -

The new campus of Bologna Business School (BBS), designed by MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects and inaugurated on Friday, September 6, was conceived to offer new teaching spaces in the hills of Bologna.

The result of the redevelopment of buildings belonging to the Bologna Business School Foundation, the new campus has made it possible to reorganize the services provided by Villa Guastavillani, the school’s historic main building, creating new flexible spaces for students. Comprising three buildings, the new facilities connect to the historic building by a large straight staircase, symbolizing the ongoing dialogue between past and present.

As Dean Massimo Bergami said, “[the new campus] is dedicated to meetings between people, in the belief that you don’t learn alone. … The University of Bologna has a thousand years of history, and this campus is the symbol of the next thousand.” Every year, BBS offers places to 3500 students from 65 countries around the world. As well as visiting lecturers, 300 teachers, including academics and business professionals, conduct its courses.

Besides architect Cucinella and Dean Bergami, the ribbon-cutting ceremony saw the participation of Giovanni Molari, rector of Bologna University; Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research; Irene Priolo, interim president of the Emilia-Romagna Region; Matteo Lepore, mayor of Bologna; Romano Prodi, chair of the BBS board of directors; Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari CEO; Eric Cornuel, director general and CEO of the European Foundation for Management Development; and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna.

 

Bologna Business School: “a gentle intervention” that preserves the surrounding landscape

Nuovo Campus Bologna Business School - MCA ©Walter Vecchio, courtesy of MCA

Occupying an area of 2500 m², the project merges harmoniously with its setting. The intervention involved the creation of a new main building by consolidating three existing buildings into a single multifunctional block. Two others were restored: a farmhouse, now home to classrooms, offices, and meeting rooms; and a former bakery, now transformed into a student reception area.

The new block occupies two floors connected by a natural oak grand staircase, surrounded by a timber bookcase and with steps that double as seats. Its configuration creates a flexible space for students, ideal for both lectures and as a study area.

The basement connects to the farmhouse via an underground tunnel, providing undercover continuity between teaching spaces. Outside is a large plaza with two terraced gardens that act as outdoor study areas and allow the entry of natural light. Also at basement level are a canteen and a large mixed-use open space with tables and chairs.

Upstairs are the main hall and several classrooms. One of them, dedicated to Enzo Ferrari, has views across the surrounding landscape, letting students fully immerse themselves in the area’s culture.

The interior design, also the work of MCA, was conceived to create flexible teaching spaces, with modular tables and chairs used to easily adapt to changing daily needs. Mario Cucinella commented, “The new center is designed as a comfortable space permeated with beauty, where students can do their best at learning.”

 

Integration with the environment and sustainability

Nuovo Campus Bologna Business School - MCA ©Walter Vecchio, courtesy of MCA

Drawing its inspiration from rolling waves, the landscaping features flowing pathways that branch out from the center of the campus and merge with the terrain, forming terraced spaces for sports and recreational activities that create contrasts with the rigidity of the buildings. The campus has 6000 m2 of terraced gardens and 15 hectares of parkland.

The architects paid particular attention to environmental sustainability. The new building has louver sunshading on the roof to regulate natural light and maintain optimal temperatures while reducing energy consumption. In addition, the entire campus is powered by renewable energy, provided by a photovoltaic system on the roof of the former farmhouse, and has a rainwater harvesting system.

 

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Credits

Location: Bologna, Italy
Completion: 2024
Client: Bologna Business School
Gross Floor Area: 2500 sq. m
Architect: MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects

Consultants
Structural: Studio Ballardini
Services Engineering: Galileo Ingegneria and STEP Engineering
Acoustics: Studio Raffellini
Fire Protection: IDF Ingegneria del Fuoco
Landscape: La Stanza C
Site Management: EN7

Photography by Walter Vecchio, courtesy of MCA

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