Kengo Kuma & Associates, in collaboration with Studio d`Architettura Martino Pedrozzi, developed a project to expand the campus of La Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), located in the Italian-speaking part of Mendrisio, Switzerland.
The new building of the Institute of Applied Science is separated from the city center by wide railways. To solve this problem, the architects suggested using a pedestrian bridge that continues the roof terrace of the new building. In addition, the project also provides for an underground passage.
The three-dimensional composition of the new building is based on a zigzag, one of the ends of which is a ramp that continues the sloping roof-terrace of the Z-shaped volume of the building. This idea was suggested to the authors by local traditional dwellings, the roof of which is covered with layers of stone tiles.
The partially landscaped exploited roof of the institute and one of the vertically landscaped facades make it more environmentally friendly. Kengo Kuma's team also paid attention to the role of natural light: solid-glazed facades are an important style-forming element of the SUPSI building, while the selected type of window system has a very high level of thermal insulation, which allows you to keep warm inside even in winter.
The laboratories located on the ground floor can be fully opened into the courtyard in good weather.
Nastya Mavrina
