Area Science Park awarded at FVGreen for the new Building X

With a project that combines environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological innovation, Area Science Park has won first place in the FVGreen Award – Friuli Venezia Giulia Sustainability Prize, Energy and Climate category, Public Bodies, Consortia and Administrations section. The award recognises public institutions, companies, and organisations committed to ecological transition and the development of projects with high environmental, energy, and social value.

The recognition, presented on 8 November at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, honours Building X — a new construction on the Basovizza campus — designed to host the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) and serve as a model of sustainable public architecture. The jury’s motivation stated: ” The building, by its intended use, requires large interior volumes, high rates of air exchange, and stable temperature and humidity conditions. These demanding performances are achieved through advanced dry construction techniques and a careful selection of materials (especially wood and steel). The design, construction, and management of the spaces follow rigorous criteria of energy efficiency and circular use of materials. The building consists of demountable and recyclable components and is designed to be reversible and modular, ensuring long-term durability. To guarantee high energy performance – class A1 – both passive and active systems have been adopted. The heating, cooling and hot-water systems use exclusively heat pumps powered by electricity produced by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. This building is a model of how the climate challenge can be turned into an opportunity for innovation and the creation of high-performance architecture”.

The award was accepted by Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park, and Andrea Zelco, Director of the Management and Development Division of the Science and Technology Park.

“The strengthening of the organisation’s research activities dedicated to the analysis of functional materials through advanced electron microscopy required investments both in innovative instrumentation and in new, dedicated laboratory spaces. Hence, the need for a building designed with the necessary technical specifications — a project that, of course, could not disregard sustainability, bio-compatibility and energy efficiency,” explained Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “This project was made possible through the organisation’s own financial resources, complemented by important support from the Ministry of University and Research, earmarked for laboratory infrastructure. The expansion and modernisation plan for our campus does not end with Building X: we are already designing a second facility in Basovizza dedicated to research activities, and planning a series of green renovation projects for the existing assets of the science and technology park”.

Features of Building X

Currently in an advanced phase of construction and scheduled for completion in spring 2026, Building X has a total volume of approximately 3,000 cubic metres and has been designed with strict modular and precision criteria. It combines functionality and sustainability, providing highly controlled environments in terms of thermal, acoustic and vibration stability — essential for high-precision scientific instrumentation.

The new facility is a tangible example of sustainable, decarbonised architecture. It is undergoing certification under the LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design protocol, with the goal of achieving the “Silver” level, becoming one of the first public buildings in Friuli Venezia Giulia to obtain this prestigious certification.

The entire project was conceived to minimise the environmental impact throughout the building’s entire life cycle:

• Zero fossil fuels: heating, cooling and hot-water production rely exclusively on heat pumps powered by renewable electricity.
• Clean energy generation: the roof hosts a 62.4 kW photovoltaic system capable of covering a substantial portion of the building’s energy needs.
• Sustainable and recyclable materials: the glulam-wood and steel structure, built with lightweight prefabrication techniques, ensures precision, waste reduction, and the possibility of disassembly and reuse at the end of its life.
• Energy efficiency: the building achieves Class A1 energy performance — an outstanding result for a high-tech scientific laboratory.

Environmental integration and comfort: the south-facing roof overhang provides solar shading in summer and passive heating in winter; the use of local materials such as Aurisina stone reduces transport-related emissions and enhances the surrounding landscape.

Thanks to these solutions, the building makes a concrete contribution to the decarbonisation of regional public infrastructure and serves as a replicable model for other scientific and administrative facilities.

The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation capable of imaging and characterising materials down to sub-Ångström resolution. Its activities support research on advanced materials and the development of new technologies in the fields of functional materials, energy and nanotechnology.

The laboratory operates in support of scientific research and technology transfer, strengthening the region’s competitiveness and fostering collaboration among public institutions, universities and enterprises.

Beyond research, the new building will also provide spaces dedicated to training, scientific outreach and the promotion of a culture of sustainability, fully aligned with Area Science Park’s mission to combine science, innovation and environmental responsibility.