Benetton Nursery

Alberto Campo Baeza – Benetton Nursery, A box open to the sky, Ponzano-Treviso, Italy 2007

A BOX OPEN TO THE SKY
“We built a square box composed of nine smaller squares. The central square emerges to bring light from the heights of the vestibule. The classrooms are arranged in the surrounding squares.
This square structure is inscribed within a larger circular casing formed by double circular walls.
Open to the sky, four courtyards are created that suggest the four elements: air, earth, fire and water.
The space between the perimeter walls serves as a “secret” place for children. The courtyard spaces, stretched between the curved and straight walls, are particularly relevant.
The central space, the highest and with light from above, resembles a hammam in the way it collects sunlight through nine perforations in the ceiling and three more on each of its four facades.
The children understood the building well, and a book was even published of their impressions.
They are happy there.
Alberto Campo Baeza