The commission, with no further programmatic definition than that of a space for a grand meal, is approached as the design of a pavilion.

Everything is organized around a square courtyard that encloses an existing oak tree. The courtyard acts as a rotational center around which various elements are arranged, setting the rhythm for activities and spaces. Inverting the square-circle relationship of Mantegna’s house, the square plan of the courtyard is framed, in its opening to the sky, by a circle. The square re-emerges in the roof, defined by the beams that support the covering. Positioned at the center of each side of the square, cruciform columns—like those of the Barcelona Pavilion—support the roof.

Concrete walls and ceilings, along with a polished monolithic floor, establish a neutral, monomaterial condition. As a counterpoint of color, singular elements and the captured nature are introduced. The reflections on polished surfaces blur the boundary between inside and outside.

Text provided by the architects.

La entrada Patio and pavilion se publicó primero en Global Spaces.

The design process was informed by a thorough interdisciplinary work with the pedagogical team. The building had to provide an array of spaces for learning, creative and cultural experiences for the children of the local community. The forest is the first learning space, and the way the building relates to it exemplifies a respectful and enriching relationship between nature and the human habitat. A series of smaller scale and specific learning rooms were required for distinct groups of children and activities, while a large and more versatile space was meant to be a common area for integration, display and socializing.

The circular classrooms have a smaller scale, a translucent skin and a more introverted quality, fostering concentration and focus. They flock into the central square space, which is taller, spatially flexible, and has a transparent open perimeter that allows it to relate with the exterior through the gaps between classrooms. For the visitor who walks through the forest, the low and organic horizontal building appears suddenly among the trees, bathed with light. It contrasts with the verticality of the trees, while the wooden materiality relates to it.

La entrada Portal del Bosque Learning Centre se publicó primero en Global Spaces.