The project concerns the demolition and reconstruction of the municipal nursery ‘Pinocchio’ in San Miniato Basso, with the aim of creating a larger and more accommodating structure that meets current safety and sustainability requirements.
The new building is divided into two parts: the larger part includes all the spaces used by children, while the smaller part contains general services and technical rooms.
The main building is set back from the road to make room for a public area. Under the pavilion roof, the volume is carved out by loggias that connect the rooms to the garden.
The space for educational activities is divided into three sections and three laboratories, arranged around a central square covered by a large skylight. The sections are arranged in a pinwheel pattern. Each one consists of several open but well-defined areas that extend into a loggia on one corner of the building. A glass wall opens the square towards the town of San Miniato and a large oak tree.
The simplicity of the main volume’s design and the exposed structural wooden walls are intended to evoke Japanese architecture.
Although the project predates the publication of the calls for tenders, it was selected among the works of the National Resilience and Resilience Plan. However, the local council’s clumsy management led to the loss of funding.