Sforzacosta Preschool by BDR bureau – A Sustainable Timber School Designed for Exploration and Early Learning

The Sforzacosta Preschool in Macerata, Italy, designed by BDR bureau, represents a fresh and thoughtful approach to early childhood architecture. Completed in 2023, the 530 m² preschool creates an immersive, child-centered learning environment where architecture becomes an active tool for discovery. Built entirely in wood and completed in just 150 days, the project stands as a model for sustainable construction, educational innovation, and efficient public infrastructure.

Located within the revitalizing district of Sforzacosta, the preschool is part of a larger redevelopment initiative led by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) in partnership with the Municipality of Macerata. The initiative focuses on expanding and enhancing educational facilities, addressing the growing need for high-quality learning spaces for children aged 0–6.

An Architecture that Encourages Curiosity

BDR bureau embraced the site’s limitations—including a compact plot and strict construction timeline—to craft a solution rooted in simple typologies and adaptable spatial configurations.

The building is organized as a cluster of three small, seemingly disjointed wooden volumes, unified beneath a sweeping pitched roof. This spatial strategy produces a series of interconnected solids and voids, enabling:

• Smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces
• Oblique views toward the garden
• Dynamic threshold zones that spark exploration

The pitched roof acts as a protective canopy while defining the school’s footprint. Under this architectural umbrella, the volumes accommodate classrooms, offices, facilities, and workshop spaces, creating varied proportions that respond intuitively to the needs of small children.

In the transitional spaces between these volumes, the architects introduce elements such as a dramatic portal, a double-height skylit zone, and a standalone column. These features become visual landmarks that encourage children to pause, explore, and learn through spatial experience.

A Flexible and Inclusive Learning Environment

The design prioritizes community, comfort, and sensory learning, offering dedicated areas for:

• welcoming families and educators
• a music workshop
• a sensory lab for exploring tastes and smells
• a library
• shared mealtime spaces supported by a fully operational kitchen

By creating an open and interconnected interior, the preschool supports the values of Montessori-inspired learning, including independence, collaboration, and hands-on interaction with the environment.

Sustainable Timber Construction and Passive Performance

Sforzacosta Preschool is built entirely from recyclable timber, embracing an environmentally responsible construction system based on the platform frame method.

Key sustainable features include:

• Visible vertical timber supports that express structural rhythm
• Setback facades shaped by rotating volumes, creating shaded outdoor spaces
• Enhanced passive environmental performance through covered exterior zones
• A building envelope achieving near-zero energy impact

This approach not only reduces embodied carbon but also ensures a healthy, warm, and tactile environment—ideal for early childhood education.

A Catalyst for Community Redevelopment

The preschool marks the first completed phase of the broader Sforzacosta Educational Hub, an initiative launched after a 2022 architectural competition. With approximately 70 children now attending the preschool across two preschool classrooms and one nursery section, the project demonstrates the transformative impact of design-led community investment.

The next phases include the renovation of the existing primary school buildings and a new gymnasium, scheduled for completion in 2024—further strengthening the district’s educational infrastructure.

Sforzacosta Preschool by BDR bureau is a compelling example of how timber construction, simple typologies, and thoughtful spatial design can come together to create a nurturing environment for young learners. More than just a school, it is an architectural framework for curiosity, community, and sustainable development—setting a strong foundation for the future of educational spaces in Italy.

All photographs are works of Federico Farinatti