New school canteen in Viganello

Location: Lugano-Viganello, Via Crocetta

Architectural Studio: Inches Geleta Architects

The FIL ROUGE project by architects Matteo Inches and Nastasja Geleta (Inches Geleta Architects) won the first prize in the competition organized by the City of Lugano for the elevation of the School Center in Via Crocetta, Viganello.

On 28 and 29 September 2017, the jury met to evaluate the proposals of the 24 designers who participated in the single-phase design competition for the new school canteen in the Viganello district. The City of Lugano aimed to identify the best architectural solution for the elevation of the School Center in Via Crocetta, specifically to create new spaces for a canteen and after-school facilities for 100 children aged 6 to 11 years.

The single-phase open competition procedure, restricted to architects under 40, was chosen by the City Council to promote the next generation of professionals. At the end of the session, the jury unanimously awarded the first prize to the FIL ROUGE project, with the following motivations:

"The project establishes a fruitful dialogue with the existing building by proposing a lightweight metal structure that reinterprets and modernizes an architectural language contemporary to the school, built between 1974 and 1978 by Sergio Pagnamenta. The intervention offers a crowning structure that transforms the building while respecting its identity.

The spatial articulation creates clear spaces that ensure flexibility of use and an atmosphere suitable for its functional purpose. The terrace for the after-school program adds further quality, as does the basin on the southern side, which, by referencing an element of the existing building, establishes a sense of proximity and intimacy with the vegetation.

The entryway solution is also convincing, providing a space open to diverse activities. The placement of the service core is considered ideal for both connection and distribution of utilities. The plan configuration allows for potential containment of heated volumes."

The construction began at the start of 2020 and was completed in September 2022.

In February 2024, as part of the Premio SIA Ticino 2024, a mention was awarded to the project in the Young Professionals under 40 category. With this recognition, the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects Ticino section aims to promote the work of professionals who stand out in their practice for their attentive, innovative, and valuing approach to the territory as a cultural asset for the entire society, both built and open.

Last updated: 10 October 2024

©Photo Tonatiuh Ambrosetti