A striking new kindergarten designed by MD41 architects has officially opened in Noventa Vicentina, Italy, introducing an innovative educational facility that reimagines the learning environment for young children. Completed in 2025 with support from PNRR funds, the 750-square-meter building sits on a 2,300-square-meter plot and features a distinctive vibrant blue exterior that creates a dynamic dialogue with the sky and surrounding landscape.
The architectural design centers around a compact yet generous volume strategically oriented toward a large eastern garden, which serves as the true green heart of the school. The building's exterior façade, painted in an eye-catching blue, incorporates chamfered corners that generate shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day, adding movement and depth to the overall geometric composition. This thoughtful design approach ensures the structure remains visually engaging while maintaining functional efficiency.
Inside, the kindergarten features a carefully planned layout organized into two main functional areas. The first section hosts spaces accessible to the public, including flexible workshops designed to accommodate various community activities, supported by easily accessible service areas. The second area is dedicated exclusively to the daily operations of the kindergarten and is structured around two autonomous classroom clusters, each equipped with independent facilities and covered outdoor spaces for year-round learning activities.
The interior design emphasizes the importance of natural light and spatial connectivity, with wide, luminous corridors serving as experiential pathways where children can play and interact socially. Large openings throughout the building create direct visual connections to the garden, reinforcing the continuity between indoor and outdoor learning environments. A dedicated nap room and support areas with storage and laundry facilities complete the comprehensive educational program.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness played crucial roles in the project's development. Integrated canopies and sophisticated shading systems modulate solar exposure throughout different seasons, ensuring optimal thermal comfort for students and staff. Advanced technologies allow for constant monitoring of indoor microclimatic conditions, aligning the facility with Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards and demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The design team, led by Sergio De Gioia and Fabrizio Michielon with design contributions from Janine Medda, worked closely with structural engineering firm ORIGINE Ingegneria and mechanical consultants Mountech. General contractor Tognetto Srl executed the construction, utilizing materials from manufacturers including Abitec, Esse-Ci, and Pontarolo Engineering to achieve the project's ambitious design goals.
This kindergarten represents more than just a functional educational building; it embodies a comprehensive investment in educational quality and territorial sustainability. The architecture demonstrates careful attention to children's well-being, maximizing natural light exposure and fostering strong environmental connections. By integrating architecture, nature, color, and pedagogy, the facility transforms each school day into an experience of discovery, growth, and play, creating what the architects describe as a 'small educational landscape' where learning extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
