Abstract:

The paper presents the results of an experience designed as part of the "Mitigation Risk Design" (MiRiDe) Workshop, provided by the School of Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Engineering of the Politecnico di Milano about the enhancement and transformation of training places through the activation of participatory processes.

The regulatory indications for the containment of the Covid-19 health emergency have required a rethinking of teaching activities and spaces. The national guidelines implemented by the Italian Federation of Nursery Schools have brought out the necessary strengthening of outdoor places.

The work underlines the most meaningful phases of an educational garden building at "San Michele" Kindergarten in Bellinzago Lombardo (Milan).

The paper is organized into four parts:
- The first part briefly presents the physical spaces of the pre-project School and the pedagogical project from where has started the idea of architectural design. Both the survey phase of the physical space and the introduction of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to evaluate the context of action were taken care of.
- The second part presents several case studies about architectural projects and educational gardens building. Through maps, summary sheets, and thematic insights, the elements necessary for the construction of an architectural project of an educational garden are outlined, also considering issues related to environmental sustainability, inclusiveness, and recycling of materials.
- The third part aims to present the phases of the participatory process that involved different actors (owners, teachers, attendants, administrative council, volunteers, children's families, architects, and students) discussing the priorities and challenges to be accepted to achieve the design of the Orto San Michele.
- The fourth part presents the ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT for the San Michele Garden, showing the different construction phases.

The conclusions reveal how the phase of "participatory architectural design" has constituted a process of activation of local resources, starting both collaborative synergies for the management of the Garden and a space for reflection towards forms of experimentation aimed at transforming situations into chances.

Keywords:

Educational garden, mitigation risk design, SWOT analysis, reuse design.