Sustainable architecture and inclusion: Unipd inaugurates the Campagnola Education Complex

On Monday, 2 October, the University of Padua inaugurated the Campagnola Education Complex, an area located in the city centre between Via Campagnola and Via Pietro Canal.
It is a sustainable architectural project destined to become a landmark of the humanities district, but designed to be a permeable area with access to citizens. The newly inaugurated complex consists of two classrooms with 250 seats each, a common area, concierge, technical and service rooms, as well as an outdoor area consisting of green areas, paths, and parking spaces for cars and bicycles.
The most powerful photovoltaic system of all the University’s buildings has been installed on it, and no fossil fuels will be used inside.
The two large classrooms in Via Campagnola were designed and built according to the latest audio-visual standards available in education, offering classroom control via touchscreen and a electronic whiteboard with writing surfacethat can be either raised or lowered for use by people with disabilities.
Concerning inclusion, the two classrooms are equipped to capture the audio of the hall, also for stenographers transcribing the speech in real time in the case of hearing disabilities.
Perfect visibility of the blackboard is guaranteed throughout the room, also in a bright and comfortable environment.
The overall plan, to be implemented by 2026, in addition to the two 250-seat classrooms, envisages renovation of the existing three-storey buildings located along Via Campagnola to create teaching spaces (a third 250-seat classroom) on the ground floor, 90 beds, related service areas/technical rooms and related outdoor areas. Work is scheduled to start in early 2024.