Redevelopment of the piazzale ex scuole

The City Parliament allocated a credit of CHF 365,000 in 2022 to organize an international architectural competition for the redevelopment and new layout of the piazzale ex scuole. Following this mandate, the Municipal Government published a single-phase open architectural project competition in April 2023.

Addressed to interdisciplinary project groups, the competition aimed to redesign the piazzale ex scuole, a central public space in the city. The mandatory inclusion of an architect, a civil engineer, and a traffic engineer in the interdisciplinary groups was required by the City of Lugano to find a design solution that best combined architectural, structural, and functional mobility needs.

In the early months of 2024, the Municipal Government ratified the report from the competition jury. Out of 49 submitted applications, 37 interdisciplinary groups were admitted for evaluation. The jury unanimously awarded the 1st prize / 1st acquisition to the project titled "L'uomo che piantava gli alberi" (The Man Who Planted Trees) by Studio we arch. from Lugano (lead), with teams: Studio architettura e pianificazione Guscetti from Minusio, Studio d’ingegneria Molinari consulenze from Lugano, Studio ingegneria Pini Group from Lugano, traffic engineers Brugnoli e Gottardi from Massagno, and lighting design by Reflexion from Zurich. The project, as desired by the Municipal Government, provides particularly high-quality solutions for the competition area, especially regarding the new interchange hub layout, the parking facility for motorcycles and bicycles, and the surrounding collective spaces for the benefit and use of the entire population.

The public exhibition of the projects took place from 25 March to 8 April 2024 at the Istituto internazionale di architettura i2A, Villa Saroli.

The architectural competition area

Within the quadrilateral bounded by Via Pretorio, Contrada di Verla, Via Nizzola, and Corso Pestalozzi lies the area subject to the competition. The piazzale ex scuole, named after the demolished school building in 1969, has served various functions over time. Currently, its northeast side is occupied by the public transport stop canopy, while the southwest is used for motorcycle and bicycle parking. This low-quality allocation contrasts with the city's efforts to enhance its urban center. Moreover, the planned stop of the Luganese tram-train line along Corso Pestalozzi - expected by 2029 - will take up much of the canopy area, necessitating a complete redesign of the space. The project must ensure the creation of a high-quality public space, serving as a terminal and gateway to the city center for those arriving by public transport.

The Municipal Government particularly hoped for quality solutions not only for the new configuration of the intermodal hub but also for the surrounding communal spaces for the benefit and use of the population. In this regard, the possibility of extending the current pedestrian area to Via Magatti and Via della Posta has not been ruled out, consistent with ongoing pedestrianization efforts and the city's aim to reduce traffic in the center. Along the same lines, the parking area for two-wheeled vehicles should be moved underground to make way for citizen-friendly infrastructure for social activities (small events, markets, etc.). These options are also supported by the findings of the parallel study mandate (MSP) for the lakefront and city center.

The winning project

The project "L'uomo che piantava gli alberi" impressed with its urban planning approach, which successfully restores a strong character and clear identity to the area, thus meeting the primary objectives of the competition brief. The jury found that the extension of the coverage required by the competition was effectively addressed through the idea of creating a tree-lined square.

The design of the tree canopies defines the new spatial quality of the piazzale ex scuole, with a human-scale urban project that enhances the context of the adjacent buildings. The composition remains flexible, as it incorporates permanent structures at ground level, while the tree planting offers a contemporary and effective response to sustainability needs, particularly those related to urban overheating and heat islands. The connection to the lower level is ensured through visual continuity between the bicycle parking area and the piazzale, allowing natural light and ventilation into the underground area, making it a pleasant and safe space for users.

Lastly, a generous surface remains available for events and public gatherings. The project includes five lanes with the capacity for three buses (two articulated and one standard) in each lane. The theme of accessibility (Design for All) is addressed correctly in both the surface and underground areas, in terms of both architecture and typology. From a financial perspective, the project respects the allocated budget and offers room for optimization in the underground section.

The competition jury

The jury responsible for evaluating the project proposals on behalf of the City of Lugano (the client) included: Karin Valenzano Rossi (chair), Municipal Councillor, Dicastero sicurezza e spazi urbani (Department of Security and Urban Spaces); architect Gino Boila, Director of the Divisione edilizia pubblica (Division of Public Buildings); architect Nicoletta Crivelli, Head of section Spazi pubblici (Public Spaces), Divisione spazi urban (Division of Urban Spaces); engineer José Simao, mobility expert, Lugano City Police. Professional members: architect Roberto Briccola, Giubiasco; landscape architect Joao Gomes da Silva, Lisbon; architect Mia Hägg, Locarno-Paris; architect Matteo Inches, Locarno; civil engineer Massimo Laffranchi, Aarwangen. Alternates: architect Silvia Barrera, Lugano; architect Andrea Felicioni, Director of the Divisione pianificazione ambiente e mobilità (Division of Planning, Environment, and Mobility) of the City of Lugano. The jury was supported by external consultants and specialists.

Costs and completion timeline

The estimated cost for the redevelopment of the area is approximately CHF 16.5 million. The Canton has expressed its willingness to contribute 2 million towards the relocation of the bus shelter.

The final project is expected to be completed between 2024 and 2025, ensuring readiness for the tram-train project, which will also include financial participation from the Canton.

The history of piazzale ex scuole

Over the years, the piazzale ex scuole has served various purposes, with vastly different uses. Originally, the site was home to the church of Santa Margherita and its adjoining Augustinian convent, consecrated in 1624 and later converted into a quarantine hospital in 1848. The Canton, which owned the property at the time, transferred it to the City of Lugano in 1851. The City repurposed the complex as a barracks until the early 1880s. At that point, following a competition won by architect Augusto Guidini, a municipal school building was constructed. This building was later expanded in 1901 and served as a school until its demolition in 1969, deemed inadequate for the growing number of students and evolving educational needs.

Since then, the piazzale has retained a provisional character, though it has consistently attracted enough interest to prompt various redevelopment proposals, including a design competition in 1970. Initially used for car parking, the piazzale later became an important hub for public transportation towards the end of the 20th century, coinciding with the adoption of the new Piano dei Trasporti del Luganese (Lugano Transport Plan). In 2002, architect Mario Botta designed the current bus shelter (pensilina), which now defines the northern part of the area.

In 2011, the structure was expanded southwards, reorganizing commercial spaces and eliminating car parking in favor of two-wheel vehicle parking. This arrangement remains largely unchanged, except for the redevelopment of the corner between the UBS building and Contrada di Verla as part of the historic center's paving project by the Buletti-Fumagalli-Del Fedele-Bernardi studio of Lugano.

Last updated: 18 March 2024