Alvisi Kirimoto with Studio Gemma chose iGuzzini as the lighting partner for the new hub of the LUISS Guido Carli university campus in Rome’s Parioli district
The project by Kirimoto and Studio Gemma complements the university spaces constructing a completely new educational building which is on two floors and covers a total area of 1,500 square metres. «The building is a wooden box, raised above the ground, that interacts with nature» says Massimo Alvisi of Alvisi Kirimoto. «The project is based on the idea of raising the building, so it is in direct contact with the treetops and frees as much of the ground floor as possible. This floor, in fact, houses the entrance, a classroom and facilities, while the upper floor includes an amphitheatre and two classrooms.»
Between the suspended acoustic panels that define the coral-red ceiling of the amphitheatre, low voltage tracks have been installed to power the Ø 62 mm Palco projectors that are fitted with flood optics for diffuse and homogeneous direct lighting, while in the two classrooms general light is provided by IN60 luminaires linear system. A staircase with criss-crossing ramps connects the two floors internally via a double-height space, while a third staircase connects the first floor to the outdoors.
In the evening, adjustable recessed Laser luminaires with wide flood optics generate diffuse, homogeneous lighting. The ground floor, which is visibly set back, emphasizes the lightness of the upper volume and creates a space that is both open and covered at the same time, which at night time, is lighted by Underscore inOut luminaires installed between the wooden slats of the ceiling. All the outdoor areas are equipped and organised to offer endless possibilities for people to meet and be incredibly flexible: These spaces are lit by pole-mounted Twilight Bilbao luminaires with symmetrical optics, installed along the pathways.
Inspired by sustainable design principles and made of natural materials, the building has been awarded LEED Platinum certification.
