three school volumes are located on the edge of Parma’s rural landscape
Located in Sissa, a town in the lower Emilian plain near the Po River in Parma, Italythe primary school from the AAA office occupies the transition between the urban edge and the surrounding rural landscape. Developed during the executive design phase following a comprehensive procurement competition, the project revises the original proposal through changes in proportions, structural system and construction details, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the building and its context. The two-story school accommodates up to 250 students and includes ten classrooms, six laboratories, four of which can be subdivided into additional classrooms, a 90-seat cafeteria and a 700 m2 B1 gym, designed for both school and community use. Landscape integration, environmental performance and environmental continuity drive the overall design strategy.
The building is organized into three distinct volumes that correspond to its main functions: classrooms, gymnasium and cafeteria. This arrangement creates a clear hierarchy while allowing each volume to respond independently to its surroundings. The compact geometries of the gymnasium and cafeteria contrast with the classroom block, where a series of tall, narrow windows introduce rhythm to the facades. Their vertical proportion refers to the rows of trees, vineyards and drainage channels that characterize the surrounding rural landscape while enhancing the visual connections between the interior spaces and the exterior. The classrooms are the focus of the project. Existing glazing strategies were revised through the introduction of vertical window strips that increase the amount of diffused natural daylight while maintaining visual contact with the landscape. Inside the classrooms, timber The beams align with the window frames, deliberately exposing the structural system as part of the interior architectural language.
all images courtesy of AAA office
Selections of materials from the AAA office draw from the countryside of Parma
The facades adopt restrained geometries, material finishes and colors derived from the surrounding landscape rather than conventional educational buildings. Metal pergola structures installed on the east and west elevations support climbing vegetation, providing seasonal shading while contributing to the environmental performance of the enclosure. Surface textures and material finishes were chosen to enhance the tactile quality of the building and create continuity between architecture and landscape. Ground floor classrooms open directly onto the surrounding gardens, allowing the outdoors to support teaching and recreation. The landscape design extends the original proposal through the introduction of a paved courtyard adjacent to the cafeteria, creating an additional outdoor space for post-meal activities and informal gathering. Internally, the entrance and cafeteria function as a continuous spatial sequence, enhancing circulation and sharing.
The structural system, developed by Italian practice AAA Office, combines prefabricated cross-laminated timber (X-lam) wall panels with wooden columns supported by an insulated reinforced concrete slab. The composition of the facade follows a 60 cm module that coordinates with both the structural grid and the exterior cladding. The prefabricated timber elements were delivered ready for assembly, reducing construction time while simplifying site logistics and limiting environmental impact. The interiors are finished in a subdued palette of white with pastel pink, blue and green accents. Rather than relying on permanent graphic treatments, the interior spaces are designed to accommodate work produced by students, allowing the learning environment to evolve over time while strengthening the relationship between the building and its educational function.
a primary school situated between city and rural landscape
three distinct volumes organize the training program
