A New Chapter for ISB: Welcome to Our New Campus

Opening September 2027 — Via J. Kennedy 10, Zola Predosa

New ISB Campus - Via J. Kennedy 10, Zola Predosa

A landmark project for international education in Bologna

We are thrilled to share with our community the first official look at the new campus of the International School of Bologna. Set to open its doors in September 2027, the new campus represents a defining moment in the history of our school — a project designed to redefine what international education can look like in our region.

More than a new building, this is a purpose-built environment shaped around the values that have guided ISB since its founding in 2004: academic excellence, student wellbeing, and a strong sense of community. Every space has been imagined to support how students, teachers, and families actually learn, work, and connect.

A campus designed to grow with our school

Spanning over 11,000 m² of thoughtfully designed space, the new campus brings together everything a modern international school needs under one cohesive vision:

• A main academic building of 4,200 m² across three levels

• A Library & Learning Resource Centre of 450 m², conceived as a modern knowledge hub

• A 450 m² auditorium for performances, conferences, and school assemblies

• An indoor multipurpose sports hall of 700 m²

• A 600 m² mensa designed as both a dining experience and a social hub

• A welcoming school cafè for students, parents, and staff

• A premium outdoor sports field and a dedicated playground for younger students

Learning spaces built around modern pedagogy

The new classrooms and common areas have been designed around contemporary pedagogical principles. Spaces are easily reconfigurable to support group projects and collaboration, individual quiet study, and teacher-led seminars and presentations. Wide internal corridors and breakout zones encourage informal learning and social interaction, while every space benefits from optimised natural light, acoustics, and ventilation — creating an environment where students can truly thrive.

Dedicated laboratories for inquiry and innovation

Two fully equipped laboratories — Chemistry and Design — will support hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The science lab is built for collaborative experiments and group projects, while the design and innovation lab offers a flexible studio for engineering, making, and creative problem-solving.

A commitment to sustainability and well-being

Environmental performance is at the heart of the project. The campus features high-performance thermal insulation across the entire building envelope, a smart façade system that minimises energy loss while maximising passive solar gain, certified mechanical ventilation ensuring continuous fresh air without opening windows, and energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems throughout.

Three values, one vision: Learning, Community, Collaboration

Every space on the new campus is shaped by three guiding values:

• Learning — Open environments that move with the way students think, where classrooms can flow into shared studios and a lesson can naturally become a project.

• Community — Spaces such as the mensa, the cafè, and the auditorium that bring students, staff, and families together.

• Collaboration — Modular tables, movable partitions, and breakout corners that invite students to test ideas together and learn through making, not just listening.

Designed by Progetto CMR

The refitting project — transforming the existing building from offices into a fully-fledged school campus — is being carried out in close collaboration with architect Massimo Roj, founder of Progetto CMR, the studio that originally designed the building, completed in 2006.

With more than 30 years of practice and notable educational projects such as the new Bocconi University campus and Dulwich College Beijing, Progetto CMR brings a deep expertise in shaping innovative, future-ready learning environments.

A safer, simpler daily routine: the school bus service

To make daily life easier for our families, a dedicated school bus service will be available as an optional add-on. We are currently evaluating multiple service providers to ensure the highest standards of safety and comfort at the fairest possible price. Morning departures from Bologna are planned for 08:00 and 08:10, with strategic pick-up points in the city centre — including one near Via d'Azeglio. Two afternoon returns from the ISB Campus will offer flexibility to match after-school activities. We are also exploring mobile app technology to allow parents to track trips in real time.

Where we are today

We have engaged Progetto CMR to lead the Feasibility Study (studio di fattibilità), which is now nearing completion. The next steps include the submission of the updated project featuring new layouts and enhanced facilities, followed by the relevant permits and approvals, and finally the refitting and development work — covering the library and auditorium, the indoor gym, the outdoor areas, and the sports facilities. We are committed to keeping the ISB community regularly informed at every relevant stage of this exciting journey.

We can't wait for you to explore

The new ISB Campus is more than a building — it is a long-term investment in our students, our families, and the future of international education in Bologna. We look forward to opening its doors to you in September 2027.