Filla, renewed life in Montagnola

Located in the northern part of Bologna's historic center, Montagnola Park is a vital green space and hub for social interaction. This project reinforces the park’s cultural and recreational character, proposing an architecture that seamlessly blends function and form with its natural and historical surroundings. The intervention replaces a temporary tent like structure with a permanent, energy efficient building designed to host workshops, cultural events, and activities for children as part of the initiative “Bologna: The City of Children.”

The pavilion consists of three flexible structures set among centuries old park trees. The main volume features a 300 m² multipurpose hall for over 100 people. The second hosts educational workshops, and the third functions as a café and social hub. A canopy inspired by Bologna’s porticoes connects them, offering shelter, visual continuity, and space for shared experiences.

With an emphasis on environmental respect and circular economy principles, the pavilion employs a partially dry-construction method using a lightweight, reversible steel structure. The sinuous canopy, supported by slender circular columns, is clad in corrugated metal sheeting with integrated rainwater drains concealed within the columns. Expansive curved glass facades maintain a visual connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing natural light to enter the interiors and emphasizing the lightness of the canopy. Roof gardens on the pavilion buildings enhance thermal insulation and manage rainwater, further reducing the project’s environmental impact.

The fluid design of “Filla” was achieved using advanced digital tools, including BIM and parametric modeling. These technologies enabled the precise shaping and optimization of the complex canopy and curved glass geometries, ensuring seamless integration with the overall structure. Interdisciplinary coordination software facilitated project management, improving construction efficiency and cost optimization. The digital precision ensured a high-quality outcome in both aesthetic and functional terms.

The Pavilion is classified as an NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building), significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to the previous temporary structure. The use of sustainable materials, dry-construction techniques, and advanced architectural solutions underscores MCA’s commitment to architecture that not only respects the environment but also enhances it, creating vibrant spaces for culture and community in the heart of the city.

“Filla” exemplifies how architecture can meet contemporary needs for sustainability, functionality, and beauty while preserving ties to history and nature. Thanks to the use of advanced technologies and sustainable materials, MCA has created a space that not only respects the context of Montagnola Park but also enriches it, offering Bologna a new venue for connection, culture, and a deeper relationship with its natural surroundings.