Winners of Chiavari Waterfront Competition & Winners of THE PLAN Award 2024 | Future Education
Client: Città Metropolitana di Genova
Intended use: Community College
Estimated Completion: 2030
Gross Floor Area: 35.000 smq
Costs: 39,325,000.00
Article: https://www.theplan.it/award-2024
“The various functions required by the tender are contained within a single, radio-centric building complex, designed in such a way as to define green open spaces along the entire perimeter of the area. At the center of the building is a plaza equipped with a retractable roof. The project is of high-quality standard. The proposed building integrates harmoniously into the urban and environmental context, blending architectural quality with pedagogical innovation. The open spaces are usable, well-sized, and designed to promote social integration.”
- City Council of “Citta Metropolitana di Genova”
Project Process and Contribution: This educational complex was developed through a strategic, intensive, and methodical design process, driven by a compact two-month timeline. The collaboration among four architects required precise coordination and efficient task management. My primary contributions lay in establishing the project’s conceptual foundation and steering key aspects of its spatial organization and technical development.
Site-Specific Landscape Design: The landscape design drew inspiration from the Ligurian topography, translating contour lines into spatial elements such as pathways, terraces, and courtyards. This approach created a seamless relationship between the built environment and its natural context, reinforcing the project’s environmental and cultural sensitivity.
Process Management and Workflow Strategy: To manage the intensive timeline, I devised a phased project schedule emphasizing site analysis, iterative design, and progressive refinement. The first month was dedicated to evaluating urban constraints, synthesizing programmatic requirements, and generating multiple design iterations. The final form was selected based on its capacity to integrate diverse functional, structural, and environmental considerations rather than aesthetic preference alone. This decision-making structure ensured an efficient and cohesive design evolution.
[3] Polo Scolastico del Levante Metropolitano - Public Realm and Gardens
Polo Scolastico del Levante Metropolitano
Cafe-Lounge & Study Nook
Tiered View Gym
Open-Study Lounge
Flexible Classrooms
Library
Conceptual Framework and Design Development:
My engagement with the project began with formulating the conceptual framework, rooted in a detailed analysis of site conditions, urban integration, and evolving pedagogical models. I introduced the concept of “soft spaces”—intermediate areas designed to foster informal learning and social interaction—transforming traditional spatial hierarchies into flexible, dynamic environments. This strategic intervention provided a foundation for innovative educational spaces that balanced functionality with experiential quality.
[4] Central Agora: A Spatial Nexus of Interaction, Connectivity, and Collective Experience
100 - Learning Environments
101 - Buulding for Business, Finance & Marketing and Creative Media
102 - Building for Construction & Environmental Design
103 - Building for Mechanical Systems & Mechatronics
104 - Multipurpose Room 105 - Library
106 - Workshops & Laboratories
200 - Learning Support & Interactive Spaces
201 - Informal Lecture Room 202 - Relax Area
203 - Open-Study Lounge 204 - Aula Magna
300 - Social & Collaborative Zones
301 - Softscape Lounge
302 - Tiered View Gallery
303 - Community Commons 304 - Grand Agora
305 - Café-Lounge & Study Nook
306 - Reflective Workspace
307 - Performance Stage
400 - Core & Technical Facilities
401 - Facility Management
402 - Accessible WC 403 - Student WC
404 - Technical Systems Room
405 - Staff Restrooms
500 - Athletic & Recreation Facilities 501 - Multi-Sport Field
600 - Culinary & Wellness Spaces 601 - Social Café Bar
Collaborative Design and Rooftop Innovation: I proposed and developed a multifunctional rooftop landscape to extend the school’s learning environment into the vertical dimension. This elevated platform included botanical gardens, observation decks, and open-air study zones designed for both educational and recreational use. The rooftop was conceived as a dual-purpose space, blurring the boundaries between public and private realms while ensuring security for students and accessibility for the community.
Technological Integration and BIM Coordination:
Our teammate and BIM coordinator led me to the integration of BIM workflows to model the complex geometry and optimize sustainability strategies:
- Green Roofs and Passive Cooling Systems: Enhancing thermal insulation and reducing heat island effects.
- Photovoltaic Systems: Implementing renewable energy solutions aligned with regulatory standards.
- Material Selection: Prioritizing certified, non-toxic materials to minimize environmental impact.
*This project exemplifies a rigorous, process-driven approach to educational architecture, integrating sustainable design principles, adaptive spatial configurations, and contextual responsiveness to redefine the role of schools as dynamic civic and learning spaces.
“A structure grounded in sustainability, ‘addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions, with a distinct Sardinian identity,’ which, as the promoters stress, aims to ‘revitalise the entire area.’ Fittingly, the plan includes the creation of ‘a space for ancillary events, accessible at any time of day and throughout the year.’ This is set to be an innovative stadium, entirely sustainable, with pronounced Sardinian characteristics, capable of hosting Cagliari Calcio, celebrating Sardinian excellence, and welcoming top-tier football.”
- The City Council of Cagliari
By the time I was engaged in this project, the Cagliari Stadium redevelopment had already progressed through the Preliminary and Definitive Design phases. However, for the project to advance to the Executive phase, it required approval from the Municipality of Cagliari and various governmental agencies overseeing the development, as it was planned to host UEFA Euro 2032 matches in Italy and Turkey.
This crucial process, known in Italy as the Conferenza di Servizi, entails a thorough multidisciplinary review by regulatory bodies, whose feedback can substantially alter the project based on economic, environmental, functional, efficiency, safety, and political considerations, ensuring compliance with EU standards and local regulations.
My primary responsibility as an architect was to align the design with the stringent regulatory requirements set forth by the Cagliari authorities to enable its progression into the Executive phase.
Our main focus was to external works, encompassing landscape architecture, hardscaping, parking layouts, drainage strategies, and urban furniture, in response to directives from local authorities aimed at fostering a more inclusive and sustainable urban environment.
My key contribution in this area was the development of a distinctive paving system that intuitively guides visitors toward the stadium entrance. By juxtaposing natural earth-toned surfaces with stone pathways, we created a cohesive visual and tactile experience, culminating in a central stone axis extending seamlessly into the stadium’s arrival zone and directing visitors towards the entry gates.
[6] Aerial View - Merging Urban Landscape with Cagliari’s New Unipol Domus Stadium
Cagliari Unipol Domus Stadium
[7] Section - Structural Geometry and Spatial Configuration of Cagliari’s New Unipol Stadium
Perspective Facade - Skin and Structural Geometry of Cagliari’s New Unipol Stadium
The foremost requirement concerned fire safety efficiency, necessitating a comprehensive revision of evacuation routes and compartmentalization strategies. In collaboration with fire safety consultants and industry providers, we introduced optimized layouts and cost-effective solutions, including the specification of thicker fire-resistant walls (REI 120), leading to a 25% redesign of the stadium and hotel structures.
Throughout this phase, procurement strategies also required reassessment, with supplier proposals being updated to ensure accurate cost estimation for construction and recent design modifications. This iterative dialogue with governmental bodies extended over two years before obtaining full regulatory approval across multiple agencies.
[9] Interior Perspective - Structural Geometry and Spatial Configuration of Cagliari’s New Unipol Stadium
Cagliari Unipol Domus Stadium
[10] Construction Detail of drainage system
[11] Roof Structure Section and drainage system
As one of my final contributions to the project, I developed critical architectural detailing previously unaddressed in prior design stages. This included refined façade articulation, integrated concealed drainage solutions, and detailed specifications for public realm elements such as paving materials, perimeter fencing, entrance gates, urban greenery, and bicycle parking infrastructure.
This project stands as a paradigm of integrated architectural, landscape, and urban planning, where technical, regulatory, and spatial challenges coalesced into a singular vision. Given its scale and complexity, the Cagliari Stadium redevelopment demanded a nuanced approach—not only in terms of design excellence but also in navigating intricate bureaucratic frameworks and rigorous performance standards, spearheaded by a dedicated leadership team and myself as project architect.
[12] North Facade Materials and Pavement Juxtaposition: Guiding Visitor Flows Through Integrated Design
Cagliari Unipol Domus Stadium
CityWave: A Flowing Icon of Design and Sustainability
nexi headquaters milan
Milan, Italy 2022 | BIG | Progetto CMR
Second Place Prize Beauty Contest
Client: GENERALI REAL ESTATE
Intended use: NEXI Corporate Headquaters
Gross Floor Area: 30.000 sqm
Costs: Confidential
The Nexi Fit-Out project within CityWave, the latest architectural landmark by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Milan’s CityLife district, represents a paradigm shift in the design of corporate interiors. Conceived as an innovative workplace ecosystem, the project harmonizes advanced digital integration with refined spatial strategies, offering a seamless synthesis of architecture, technology, and human-centric design.
At its core, the intervention redefines the post-pandemic office, addressing the evolving dynamics of hybrid work culture and the increasing need for adaptive environments. The conceptual framework is built upon Nexi’s pioneering contactless technology, introducing an architecture of fluidity where physical and digital realms coalesce.
The integration of biometric authentication systems, RFID-enabled access points, and IoT-driven environmental controls allows occupants to engage with the workspace in an intuitive, frictionless manner. This seamless operability is embedded into the very fabric of the design, fostering an experience of instant connectivity from workstation allocation to digital wayfinding, conference room reservations, and personalized ergonomic settings.
Lo spazio operativo -Tipologie funzionali di spazio proposte - postazioni
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[15] Office Typological Floor Plan - A Fusion of Innovation, Comfort, and Flexibility for the Future of Work
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As we delved into the spatial strategy, we questioned the traditional office model. Rather than fixed desks and rigid layouts, we envisioned an agile, evolving environment. Through collective brainstorming and analysis of workplace behavior, we developed a system of Flying Desks, Focus Booths, Informal Lounges, and One-to-One Meeting Spaces, ensuring that every area responded to different work modes.
Each level had its own personality, a deliberate choice to encourage movement and discovery within the building. My role in this process was deeply collaborative, working alongside interior designers, workplace strategists, and technology consultants to ensure that our layouts were as dynamic as they were functional.
[16] Collaborative Workspace – A Fusion of Innovation, Comfort, and Flexibility for the Future of Work
On the executive floors, our challenge was different. While the rest of the workspace embraced fluidity, here we needed to balance corporate prestige with a sense of comfort and exclusivity.
As a team, we explored how to use materials, lighting, and spatial transitions to create an environment that felt less like a traditional office and more like a refined, contemporary residence.
The terraces provided a unique opportunity—instead of isolating executive spaces, we extended them outward, merging indoor and outdoor environments to reinforce a sense of openness and connection.
Sala consiglio
[18] CEO Directional Floor – A Blend of Executive Elegance and Green Innovation
[17] CEO Directional Floor Plan - A unique opportunity to innovate executive speces
A DAY AT THE OFFICE
I was particularly drawn to Nexi’s identity as a leader in contactless transactions, a concept I adapted into the very architecture of the space. What if the office itself could be “contactless”—a workplace where movement, access, and interaction happened effortlessly, with a simple tap of a smartphone or smartwatch?
I developed this vision into the core concept of the project: A Contactless Workplace, where employees would no longer be tied to a single desk or room but could fluidly navigate their work environment, logging in anywhere, unlocking meeting spaces, or accessing services without physical barriers.
Through my work on spatial planning and user experience, I helped shape an office that is not just a workplace, but an ecosystem—a place where technology and architecture merge to enhance human interaction rather than replace it. The NEXI Fit-Out at CityWave is more than a project for me; it represents a vision for the future of work—where the office is no longer a fixed destination but a fluid, interactive experience, effortlessly woven into everyday life.
