EXPANSION OF A SCHOOL IN GLETTERENS | Alessandro Nava

The project conceives the architectural object as an essential part of the territory because of its environmental, landscape-related, cultural and social features. Located along the south-eastern side of Lake Neuchatel, Gletterens is an important tourist and cultural centre, featuring one of the major examples of Neolithic lakeside village. It also enjoys a natural environment of great importance. The area of the project is adjacent to the city centre with view on the wide fields characterized by a hilly landscape. Therefore for this project we took inspiration from the existing territory and designed a building with one floor only (in order to reduce the volume without preventing the panoramic view on the existing buildings), with a planted roof to be used as vegetable garden and roof terrace both for the local school and the people living in Gletterens, allowing a better integration and perception of the landscape. According to the project the school is not only a "place of education", it also becomes an experience designed to educate children on environmental sustainability and policies of natural resources and land preservation; the roof garden is a concrete example to get children involved in this experience. The project also includes an underground tank to collect rainwater for domestic use and irrigation. According to the project, the building has a very high energetic performance. The south-western facade is characterized by a 1.8 m. protruding eaves in order to create shade in the hot months and encourage the entry of light and solar heat in winter. All classrooms have large terraces for outdoor recreation time. The underground multifunctional hall is characterized on the ground floor by a large window opening on the western side of the building, allowing greater communication between the indoor and outdoor areas. Access and inside circulation are direct and simple, allowing direct communication with the outside paths and the walkable roof surface.