Punto Luce for Save the Children

Punto Luce replaces an old prefabricated building whose extensive asbestos presence made reuse impossible. Built over the original foundations, it introduces a typological anomaly, adopting an irregular torus that establishes a new urban landmark amid the rhythmic pattern of linear social-housing blocks. Architecturally, it unfolds as a 911 m² ribbon, combining areas for educational, recreational and cultural activities, integrating outdoor spaces. Despite its organic form, the project makes extensive use of an open prefabrication system, based on timber elements.

According to Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Children approach, “Space is the third teacher.” The design was developed around this principle, following an initial dialogue with the client and local stakeholders – schools, NGOs, and community associations. The new building creates a welcoming environment where diverse activities coexist, allowing children to observe, get curious, and be inspired by one another’s experiences. Participants can naturally wander from a music lab to a theatre workshop, from a reading area to a fablab: the spatial continuity is part of the pedagogical experience. The “Punto Luce” works as a threshold within a gradient of permeability – from public space to the inner courtyard – allowing omnidirectional views from the inside. Outdoor space plays a crucial role, acting as an extension of the interior. The two entrances define a functionally independent portion of the building, serving both the centre’s management activities and local associations’ needs.

Reusing the original foundations, the new building has reduced CO₂ emissions, costs, and construction time, as well as environmental stress on the neighbourhood. The timber structure consists of radially arranged GLT portal frames supporting off-site, preassembled timber sandwich wall panels. A CLT roof structure, topped by an extensive, zero-maintenance sedum green roof, collects rainwater for the outdoor garden irrigation system. Roof overhangs, crowned by fully recyclable raw aluminium, are designed for optimal shading and internal thermal delight. Skylights, linked to an automatic air-quality control system, ensure natural ventilation and optimal daylight use in synergy with the DALI-2 smart lighting network powered by a photovoltaic system. External cladding panels in marine plywood and larch slats finish the outdoor ceilings and façades, which can be restored to their original colour in the future by rotating the slats 180 degrees.