The Inauguration of the Campagnola Complex
03.10.2023
What began in 2020 comes to fruition today with the presentation of the University’s recovery project of the Campagnola Complex (formerly known as the S.E.E.F. Ente Servizi per l’Età Evolutiva e la Famiglia complex) located in the heart of Padua between via Pietro Canal, on the side of Beato Pellegrino, and Campagnola. The recovery project includes clear access to the two Jewish cemeteries and spans an area with a medieval structure. It is in this expanse that the University of Padua continues to follow its commitment and philosophy of sustainable architecture by extending a gift to the local community with an open green space that is accessible to all.
The recovery of the complex began in October 2022 as part of a broader University policy aimed at increasing and innovating research spaces that progressively modernize and make available new classrooms. In concert with Palazzo Maldura and the renovated Beato Pellegrino Complex, the Campagnola Complex project demonstrates the growing expanse of this part of Padua as a reference point for the University’s Humanistic Studies.
The recovery project, held in two phases, began with needed demolition, the clearance of explosive remnants of war, and the environmental cleanup of underground diesel tanks with the reclamation of surface land. This phase brought to light some of the richest Roman necropolis in the city of Padua (220 tombs), dating back to a period between the Augustan age and the first decades of the second century AD.
Planned for completion by 2026, both phases include the addition of two classrooms (holding 250 seats each) in the recovered existing structure plus the addition of three floors. The complex will also include spaces for teaching on the ground floor (holding an additional 250 seats), and projected accommodations for 90 students. This space also ensures an area for service-related technical rooms and relevant uncovered parts, with expected renovation, recovery, and construction work scheduled in the first months of 2024.
The inauguration of the teaching space of phase 1, will omit the use of fossil fuels and offer the previously mentioned two classrooms with 250 seats each, a common space, a concierge with attached service rooms, and technical rooms. With the installation of the most powerful photovoltaic system currently among those present in the university buildings (86 kW), the exterior of the building offers open paths, some green areas, as well as bicycle and car parks. The widening of the road via Campagnola and the removal of the existing fence shall open up a public pedestrian pathway that connects via Campagnola with via Canal. By modifying the current condition of the enclosed area and ensuring public accessibility, the goal is to improve the urban pedestrian traffic of the neighbourhood, which offers an open green area equipped with crossing paths.
The classrooms in via Campagnola were set up according to the latest audiovisual standards available in the teaching sector adopted by the University of Padua. Classrooms include a 7'' touchscreen system and fully supported BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) that allows one to connect a laptop or tablet with a simple cable, as well as in-house PCs. Replacing classic blackboards with remotely operated adjustable 55" electronic screens offers a writing surface solution for an inclusive educational experience, including those with disabilities. Touchscreens allow for multiple projection options while managing sound volumes and framing of the classroom camera remotely and well an option to record lessons or to connect others via Zoom, Teams, or other unified Communication software.
Expanding its dedication to an inclusive educational experience, classrooms include audio space for any stenotype staff appointed by the Inclusion Sector of the University that provides real-time transcriptions of lectures for the hearing impaired. The video and audio signals of both classrooms are digital and in high definition and can travel with "Over IP" technology. In particular, a multi-channel audio system with electronic processing, and a full HD video projector with laser technology that offers 16,000 ANSI lumens are designed to be perfectly visible even in a bright and comfortable environment (Lumens are the measurement of brightness that a projector gives out according to the American National Standards Institute). Retractable 165” tab-tensioned projection screens and 65" LED monitor systems installed ensure excellent visibility from all angles of the room.
