CAMPUS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF PADUA

CLIENT

University of Padua

ARCHITECTURE

David Chipperfield Architects

LOCATION

Padua

MARKET

University & Research

SURFACE

51.600 mq

YEAR

2019 – ongoing

EXPERTISE

  • Concept and preliminary design
  • Acoustics
  • Fire prevention design
  • Safety coordination during design
  • LEED consultancy

FEATURES

  • Green Area: 34.000 mq
  • Ellipse in glass and wood: 2.500 mq

The Municipality of Padua has approved the change of use for the site of the former Piave Barracks, converting it into a university campus. The project, which won an international competition with 60 design teams participating, is designed by architect David Chipperfield. It revitalizes a large portion of the existing buildings, integrating them seamlessly with extensive green spaces.

The design of the new Campus has identified the following intended uses: 45 classrooms, a 300-seat Aula Magna/Auditorium, study rooms with 800 workstations, a library (4.500 volumes for the open-shelf collection and 1.500 volumes for the closed-shelf collection), faculty offices and spaces for teaching and scientific activities, administrative offices and educational services, spaces for archiving and research on museum assets, research laboratories, study and potential restoration areas, a food corner, campus restaurant, bar/cafeteria, relaxation/rest area, outdoor space organization, 250 underground parking spaces, and 1.500 bicycle spaces.

The project consists of two elements:

  • the restoration and renovation of heritage-listed buildings;
  • the construction of a partially underground, dynamic building that will house the representation and socialization functions of the new campus.

Both the architectural and landscape solutions aim to create an urban, exclusively pedestrian-friendly space where green areas are of primary importance. Not only will the university spaces be extended and connected to outdoor areas, but the outdoor spaces themselves will become a destination for the city of Padua.

The project concept is based on several key principles:

  • decarbonization of the campus by eliminating the use of natural gas and focusing on high-efficiency heat pumps;
  • improvement and, in some cases, seismic adaptation of existing buildings;
  • energy efficiency upgrades to the thermal envelopes;
  • heat recovery in ventilation systems;
  • the use of groundwater for thermal and cooling production;
  • enhancement of green spaces through the selection of sustainable tree species (with low water requirements) combined with the design of a rainwater harvesting system to serve the irrigation network.

GALLERY

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