Recovery and redevelopment of the “Former Fusinato Student House” complex

Interest in building a structure intended as a Student House in Padua matured at the end of the First World War. The winning project of the competition for the “Student House” dates back to 1932, where the original modernist approach of the designers is evident in some prominent architectural elements such as the rhythmic alternation between full and empty spaces, the curved staircase and the flat roof used as a terrace. Over the last twenty years, the entire complex has been affected by phenomena of degradation and abandonment that have affected its use and state of conservation.

The design approach, in the typological system, has two main objectives: reversibility and conservation. Particular attention is paid to the facades with actions aimed at securing and conserving the fronts with the recovery of the original elements and colors.

The project is organized according to functional areas: residential, cultural and educational services (600 m2), recreational services (430 m2), support, management and administrative services; to these are added the access and distribution functions and the technical rooms for the technological systems.

The spaces for collective use are located mainly in the basement and mezzanine floors, while the spaces for individual use are on the mezzanine floor and in the following four floors above ground for a  total of accommodation for 187 posts distributed over approximately 3,000 square meters of the 6,000 total. The accommodations are organized by type in distinct areas: mini loft apartments in the areas with significant heights and large openings and rooms on the floor with shared services.

The project also includes the arrangement of the external space included in the perimeter of the lot. Green islands at various heights dispersed with paved passages complete the main distribution configuration oriented on the north-south axis.