PROJECT
The common thread of our work has been to read and analyze the fabric, seeking a reasoned stitching together, delicately combining the place, the historical pre-existences, the vocations of use of the spaces, and the connective paths.
The reading of the purely agricultural place, characterized by corn plantations that along the roads become impenetrable curtains, which sometimes, suddenly, let the gaze sweep as far as the mountains, provides useful material for the formulation of a reasoned architecture, open to dialogue and topos.
This suggestion has led to the use of an approach conducted on several fronts, the existing-even if fragmented-and the designed able to mediate and connect with reasonableness in the surroundings, marked by a straightforward, thoughtful architecture, careful in the choice of voids and solids, in the choice of materials, aimed at giving environmental poignancy to the architectural project.
The research in the use of materials employed, is aimed at the energy optimization of the building envelope and its active and passive involvement, in the achievement of better performance both in terms of thermal and solar and light contribution within the inhabited spaces.
The search for a criterion aimed at organizing the functions according to a simple and direct path, geometrically consistent with the building envelope, denounces the need to conduct a continuous architectural discourse, based on the constant control of the definition of spaces, which makes the interior envelope a spontaneous integration with the main form, rather than the forced consequence. This line of intervention allowed the correspondence between the demanding analyses dictated by the client and the planned future usability.
The functions of the youth oratory, need suitable spaces both in terms of volume and flows generated within.
Such spaces fill a gap and represent for Passatore a place of aggregation, meeting and growth not only for the younger generations, but for the entire community in demographic growth and expansion.
The relocation and definition of the same, as well as the intervention for the functional improvements of the spaces, the access paths connecting with the Church and the Pastor's House, the parish office and the uncovered spaces, have been the subject of extensive and constructive moments of discussion and dialogue with the Pastoral Council.
In fact, the utmost respect for the lot satisfies urban planning impositions on a territorial scale and allows the recovery of the existing layout that defines the road layout: the curved pedestrian path is adapted to the new building body, architecturally shaped as an embrace that encloses a green lung.
In its organicity it protects the users from the road, hiding but at the same time revealing the functions it promotes. The visitor on his way to the entrance is guided by a path whose movement, chromatically rhythmic- gives emphasis- overcoming the idea of staticity proper to a walled fifth, weakening the sense of exclusion typical of the circle, however much the circular pattern, the basis on which the geometry of the entire project is set.
COMPOSITIVE FEATURES
The new facility, planimetrically set on a semicircular floor plan, houses on the ground floor a one-story building divided into no.2 blocks, joined by the main entrance covered by a reinforced concrete slab. In the block north of the main entrance, there are no.5 catechetical classrooms, double toilets separated between male and female, usable by people with reduced mobility and a technical room. In the south block, there are no.3 catechetical classrooms, a multipurpose hall, double separate male and female toilets, usable by people with reduced mobility and a technical room/storage room. From the multipurpose hall, the basement storage room is accessed by a staircase and a freight elevator. All rooms are arranged and distinguished radially, distributed along the perimeter of the floor plan and separated by a curved corridor illuminated by zenithal forometries: the space management is regular, albeit in apparent contrast to the opposite multipurpose hall, free of divisions.
On the elevation, the façade on the extrados is punctuated by a double ventilated open wall made of vertically placed multicolored terracotta and majolica sunburst cladding from the historic Cotto Imprunetino district. This design choice was dictated by the desire to further conceal the volume of the new building. The soffit is formed by continuous glazing, facing the interior green area. The roof of the new building is extensively green.
From the technological point of view, attention to solar exposure and ambient air quality actively participate in the life of the building, with a parallel action to it aimed at arranging for each phase the most convenient condition: a substantial speed of execution, optimal use, low maintenance, in order to make the intelligent building, a low-energy machine.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS SUNSHADE
The exterior cladding was made with “TerraTube” sunshade elements made of Cotto Pregiato Imprunetino and majolica produced by the company Palagio Engineering s.r.l., having 60x60mm section with natural smooth and glazed surface finish formed by extrusion. Given the severe weather conditions that occur at certain times of the winter season, these elements ensure excellent resistance to frost according to UNI EN ISO 10545-8 as well as for resistance to temperature changes according to UNI EN ISO 10545-4. In addition, these terracotta sunshade elements have a flexural strength greater than 18N/mm2 according to UNI EN ISO 10545-4.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LIGHTING PROJECT
Interior
The decision to use dimmable “c1 all light” light fixtures was dictated by the desire to emphasize the radial pattern of the new structure by obtaining a proper diffusion of light inside the multipurpose hall and catechetical classrooms.
In the two corridors, we wanted to emphasize their basic function of connection and passage by using luminaires series dino my white 25° generating more punctual light. The same were used on the sides of the multipurpose hall to better identify the paths. In the stage area for conferences and performances, bodies specific to the particular use were used: the “094 system” and the “mini traffic” floodlights .
In the restrooms, above the mirrors, “net 48 wall” lamps were used to avoid glare phenomena.
Exterior
Externally, the lighting was designed by dividing the new building into three parts:
1) The extrados covered with Impruneta terracotta and majolica elements.
2) The entrance hall placed between the two parts of the building
3) The canopy covering the inner courtyard walkway.
For the extrados, LED “magic wands” were used placed between the imprunetino cotto and majolica cladding, and the back wall support finished with paint tending to white.
Such “magic wands” thus generate diffused light on the back of the sunshade elements, making them “stand out.”
In the entrance hallway, “c2 ceiling all light led” elements were used so as to have a diffused light that is mirrored on the white concrete slab by dilating its height.
The white concrete slab of the hallway continues to the inner courtyard to form the canopy.
It is equipped with a series of “pl 20 cylinder” lights that, arranged according to the radial pattern of the building, illuminate punctually and laterally all the exits of the interior rooms facing the grassed courtyard.
