Poggi Carducci School: Liguria’s pilot for circular, sustainable school reconstruction 

Sarzana’s Poggi Carducci school in Liguria, Italy, consisted of three large reinforced‑concrete buildings from 1960, catering for 29 classes and around 700 children from elementary and middle school. By 2018, the site was outdated, extremely energy‑inefficient, and not earthquake‑resistant, but it also posed structural and environmental challenges that made renovation incompatible with circular‑economy principles. The buildings’ materials, design and condition offered limited potential for meaningful reuse or upgrading, hindering the creation of a safe, modern and resource‑efficient learning environment.  

The Municipality of Sarzana asked the Regional Agency for Infrastructures, Urban Regeneration and Energy of Liguria (IRE) to develop a feasibility study, which showed that renovating the existing buildings was not advisable from a cost–benefit standpoint. The analysis also demonstrated that attempting to retain or retrofit the structures would result in excessive use of new materials, inefficient energy performance, and long‑term environmental burdens. This confirmed the need for a full reconstruction and created an opportunity to develop an exemplary circular‑economy pilot project for the entire Liguria Region. 

Circular design through demolition and rebuilding 

IRE entrusted a group of professionals, headed by GPProject Srl, to develop a new project based on demolishing the old structures and reconstructing modern buildings on the same footprint, ensuring no additional land take. The reconstruction was designed as a circular process, with a strong focus on selective demolition, material recovery, and low‑impact construction. The site was rebuilt in phases using dry prefabricated technology and integrated several key features: 

• Earthquake‑resistant construction, ensuring full seismic safety. 
• Circular and sustainable design, prioritising certified eco‑materials such as wood and thatch and reusing all recoverable waste materials from the demolished buildings. 
• Nearly Zero‑Energy Buildings (nZEB) with high energy performance and integrated renewable energy sources, mainly photovoltaic systems. 
• Speed of execution, thanks to prefabricated panels preassembled off‑site. 
• Green infrastructure, including rainwater collection for toilet use, woodland areas with tall trees, edible fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and nature‑based noise barriers. 
• Urban regeneration, with the creation of a cultural hub to revitalise the surrounding neighborhood. 

The project was financed through a mix of national and regional resources. The Liguria Region provided over 50% of the total budget, designating the intervention as a regional pilot for circular public school redevelopment. Additional‑school redevelopment. Additional funds came from the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (School Construction funds) and the Thermal Account for energy renovation of public buildings. 

A new school that gives more than it takes 

Construction works began in 2021 and were completed in 2025. Throughout the entire process, IRE acted as the central purchasing body and contracting authority, supporting the Municipality in planning, management, procurement, and implementation. IRE staff served as Procedure Managers in all phases. 

Fully operational since September 2025, the new Poggi Carducci school site is now a modern, energy‑efficient, and safe learning environment for the local community. Its circular‑economy approach, including the strategic decision to demolish non‑recoverable buildings, the reuse of construction materials, and the incorporation of renewable and nature‑based solutions, significantly improves environmental performance and reduces waste. Beyond improving safety and energy performance, the project strengthens community wellbeing through new public green areas and a cultural hub that fosters social interaction and neighbourhood regeneration. 

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!