More accomodation for the Sant'Anna School in Pisa with the opening of the Santa Croce campus in Fossabanda: 69 beds and 3400 square metres of covered space breathe new life into the 14th-century building complex

The accommodation of the Sant'Anna School increase with the inauguration of the campus Santa Croce in Fossabanda, a two-storey structure for a total of 69 beds and 3400 square metres of covered space, recovered after a skilful renovation and restoration work, which was characterised by the use of sustainability criteria in water protection and circular economy. The renovation of this 14th-century building, formerly a convent, which became a hotel in the early 2000s and was then no longer used, saw the involvement and support of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), Fondazione Il Talento all'Opera, Fondazione Pisa, Fondazione Saint-Gobain, Saint-Gobain Italia. 

The new collegiate building can count 69 beds, divided into 49 single rooms and 10 double rooms, all with bathroom facilities. On the ground floor there are five study and conference rooms as well as a small 50-seat auditorium, with a total area of more than 200 square metres. There are also common areas for reception, common-use toilets, general and cafeteria services with a small kitchen and a gymnasium. Through the use of suitable materials and advanced technologies, the intervention included the building and plant upgrading of the complex. An important role was played by the sustainable use and protection of water, the implementation of circular economy and waste management criteria, with at least 70 per cent of demolition and construction waste being sent for recovery, and the use of wood from FSC/PEFC-certified forests or wood for reuse. Theenergy efficiency achieved through the works allowed for the improvement of the performance level with the ‘jump’ of four energy classes (from F to B). The net contractual amount for the renovation, following the variants made during execution, was Euro 3,640,000.

The refurbishment and purchase was also made possible thanks to multiple financing: the Ministry of University and Research with a contribution amounting to 5,482,198 euros (including the contribution for thepurchase equal to 75 per cent of the value of the building, amounting to 3,440. 000); the Pisa Foundation has also contributed with a financial support of euro 400 thousand for artistic restoration works; the Saint-Gobain Foundation and Saint-Gobain Italia, through the Fondazione Il Talento all'Opera, respectively with euro 100 thousand for the construction of the glazed closing system of the loggia on the first floor of the cloister and with euro 150 thousand. 

Cover photo: some of the authorities attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left: Alessandra Nardini, Tuscan Regional Councillor for Education and Universities; Stefano Del Corso, President of the Pisa Foundation; Patrizia Alma Pacini, President of the Fondazione Il Talento all'Opera; Gaetano Terrasini, CEO of Saint-Gobain Italia; Michele Conti, Mayor of Pisa; Sabina Nuti, Rector of the Sant'Anna School