The context: the need and the challenge
The 2016 earthquake had a profound impact on the Marche region, leaving many school buildings unusable and entire communities without safe places to learn. In Sforzacosta, the G. Natali Primary School needed complete redevelopment to meet the needs of children and families who had endured years of educational and social uncertainty.
Beyond the structural damage, the school lacked flexible learning environments, workshop spaces, and facilities open to the community – all essential to modern, inclusive education. The area needed a place that could rebuild social bonds, create new opportunities and become a lasting point of reference for children, teachers, and families.
ABF’s response
Andrea Bocelli Foundation chose to transform the school into a 0-11 Educational Hub: an innovative centre bringing together nursery, pre-primary, and primary education, creative and digital labs, community spaces, and themed green areas.
ABF’s work goes beyond rebuilding. It brings a new vision of school life to the community through hybrid, flexible and interconnected environments; a central agora that forms the beating heart of the campus; art, music, robotics, and audio-visual recording labs; and outdoor spaces designed for learning in the open air.
The project was co-designed with the Municipality, the school, local associations, and social cooperatives to give the community a safe, welcoming place that opens up new educational and social opportunities.
Why it matters
- Safe, modern school facilities were urgently needed after the earthquake.
- The school lacked flexible learning environments, workshop spaces, and areas open to the community.
- An educational model was needed that would integrate art, music, digital learning, and outdoor education.
- The community needed an educational hub that would foster inclusion, participation, and wellbeing.
The project
- Partners: Municipality of Macerata, E. Mestica Institute, Glatad, Il Faro, Pars, and the ABF EDU Programme.
- Key activities: redeveloping the building, launching art, music, and robotics labs, creating a central agora, and designing themed outdoor spaces.
Project phases
- Phase A – Early Years, ages 0-6 (opened in 2023): nursery, pre-primary school, and garden.
- Phase B – G. Natali Primary School: flexible classrooms, labs, dining hall, and agora.
- Phase C – Sports hall: a multipurpose space for physical activity and community use.
