Molino Nuovo preschool and public space redevelopment

In the autumn of 2023, the new preschool (SI) in Molino Nuovo and the adjacent redeveloped public spaces were inaugurated.

The project, designed by the Consorzio BBR Architetti (Dario Bonetti, Mirko Bonetti, Fabio Regazzoni), involved the construction of a new preschool building, the reorganization of the district sports fields, and maintenance work on the Bossi building, which dates back to 1934.

The construction of the school building took place in two phases. The first phase was completed in August 2021, with the delivery of the first four sections for use, and the remaining two sections were handed over a year later. The official inauguration of the preschool was held on 23 October 2023. The final extraordinary maintenance work, involving the old preschool, will be completed during the spring of 2024.

Located on the western side of the complex, the school building spans three levels and accommodates six preschool sections, with the possibility of expanding to eight in the future. The preschool in the Molino Nuovo district was built with a focus on environmental sustainability and children’s health: the structure complies with Minergie® standards and features a gentle ventilation system that ensures enhanced living comfort.

The district sports fields have been redeveloped to host various recreational and sporting activities, including a playground, a basketball court, and a small soccer field. These additions create a high-quality public space that not only enhances the environmental and urban heritage but also provides new amenities of value for the Molino Nuovo district and the entire community.

Opposite the school, the Bossi building, constructed in 1934 and formerly used as a quarantine facility and later as a preschool, continues to serve children attending extended hours, offering support for families’ needs.

Thanks to the area’s redevelopment, the Molino Nuovo district has gained a new identity, with positive effects on the entire community, which now benefits from a public park that serves as a place for meeting and socializing. Additionally, the complex has been connected through the green corridor envisioned in the Land Use Plan to other public spaces of significance, such as the USI Campus, Casa Serena, and Ciani Park.

Chronology

In 2014, the City Parliament approved the proposal requesting a design credit of CHF 925,000 for the construction of the preschool and multipurpose hall in Molino Nuovo, along with the redevelopment of the outdoor spaces for the district. In 2015, the Municipal Government approved the project proposal aimed at reducing construction costs by approximately CHF 3 million, revising the intended use of the old Bossi preschool and prioritizing its use as a district hall based on school needs.

Subsequently, the City Parliament approved the proposal requesting a credit of CHF 13.7 million for the construction of the new school, the redevelopment of district sports fields, and the routine and extraordinary maintenance of the Bossi building. The project entered the execution phase on 24 June 2019, and was completed in the autumn of 2023.

 

Last updated: 10 October 2024