Wood Architecture in Dialogue with the Valbelluna

The project for the new Feltre High School is designed to integrate harmoniously into the Valbelluna landscape, combining technological innovation and contemporary architectural language with the distinctive identity of the territory. The guiding concept evokes the image of a small mountain village, immersed in the natural context and articulated into four distinct thematic volumes connected through a system of shared spaces. In this vision, the building’s load bearing structures are largely made of wood, a choice that strengthens the dialogue with the surrounding environment and contributes to a sustainable construction approach.

The four buildings are connected by an enclosed and fully equipped connective space, designed to ensure comfort and usability even during the colder months. This area houses the agora and the library—the social heart of the school—from which daily life unfolds. During the design phase, initiated in 2022, a total surface area of 7,225 sqm was defined, organized to support teaching flexibility and enhance spatial relationships.

The interior spaces alternate between open and enclosed rooms of different sizes, designed to accommodate both traditional teaching and cooperative hands on learning models. Classrooms visually open onto relational spaces, informal areas, and zones dedicated to quiet study, creating a dynamic and interconnected educational ecosystem.

At the center of the design lies a large “inhabitable” staircase conceived as a space capable of hosting the entire school community. Its stepped platforms allow for multiple uses: collective events, spontaneous activities, informal gatherings, or non conventional teaching formats. This element becomes an architectural fulcrum where movement, interaction, and shared experiences converge.

At the same time, the project aims to enhance the local architectural and landscape heritage, interpreting the school as an open, sustainable, and territorially rooted place. Within this design framework, an overall budget of €15,300,000 has been allocated to the creation of a building that meets contemporary educational needs while reflecting the cultural and natural richness of the Valbelluna.