A zero carbon social housing district developed around a courtyard park
Client: Municipality of Bologna
Location: Bologna (IT)
Size: 12.500 sqm
Program: Masterplan, Residential
Status: In Design
Year: 2024
Project Team: Weber Architects, Parcnouveau, ATI Project
Winner of the international competition organized by the Municipality of Bologna for the development of a social housing district in the Bertalia-Lazzaretto neighborhood, the Lazzaretto Ecodistrict represented an extraordinary opportunity to rethink urban regeneration, The challenge was not only to respond to the growing housing demand but also to deeply root the new urban development in the existing landscape and architectural context, without sacrificing a forward-thinking vision oriented towards the future of collective and sustainable living.
The heart of the project is the urban courtyard, a catalyst for the new Ecodistricts’ life, free from traffic and designed as a space for meeting and socializing, where the community can interact with residents from nearby areas in a collaborative and shared environment.
The courtyard offers an immediate and multifaceted experience, with a series of open-air “rooms” immersed in an environment where nature and light take center stage: an ideal setting for activities that support the creation of a new community identity. Through bioclimatic design and biophilic principles, new residents will enjoy spaces that promote physical and mental well-being and enhance their quality of life.
The volumetric configuration and the diversification of the block heights foster an accessible and welcoming architectural language, while bioclimatic design optimizes access to daylight and natural ventilation, energy efficiency, and supports the physical and mental well-being of the residents.
The external gallery, designed as more than just a passage, becomes a true social space, creating opportunities for interaction among residents. On the ground floor, recreational areas and courtyards push community life outward, while the rooftop terraces elevate the concept of vertical productive landscapes, integrating nature with living spaces.
The project’s urban fabric organization is deliberately varied and aims to reinterpret the complexity and density of consolidated urban structures. It seeks to promote physical and visual proximity between different functions – residential, commercial, recreational – thus facilitating the creation of a cohesive and resilient community. Each residential block is designed with a classic structure comprising a porticoed base, a central body articulated in “C” or “L” shapes, and a crowning section, distinguished by specific facade treatments and color variations, inspired by Bologna’s multifaceted historical city center, with particular emphasis on shades of ochre, red, and yellow. The facades are also differentiated by variations in material textures and patterns, reducing visual monotony and enhancing the interaction between material and environment, stimulating an emotional and sensory connection with the surroundings.
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