24_Tommaso Macchi Cassia per CDM Architetti Associati | Le Nuvole

Architectural Solution

The Implementation Plan approved by the Municipal Administration provided for the construction of the permitted volume along the north and east edges of lot A1. The logic of the Plan was to obtain a space not built, to be used as a green condominium, well sunny and therefore free of shadows brought by the buildings. The allowed building was therefore represented by an “L” shaped body with different heights. The angle was indicated to reach a height of eleven floors. The design choice adopted, inserted a “void” at the corner, thus making it possible to articulate the volume and at the same time to improve and significantly increase the natural lighting of the facades even on the lower floors.

The “L” shape indicated in the normative plan of the implementation plan is however maintained because the two bodies are united on the first floor. The architectural choice adopted for the facades was based on the logic of identifying a common, unitary element that would allow a free articulation of the volume, and at the same time linking the two bodies. This element was identified in the terraces that completely surround the two buildings on four sides and establish the union between the two buildings. The depth of the planned terraces is variable and generous on the two sides most exposed to the sun (S/O), and more contained on the two sides (N/E) where the bedrooms are located.  The irregular shape of the terraces allows a pleasant articulation of the volume with surfaces differently exposed to sunlight, thus creating a play of light/shade that changes during the day. The real facade of the building is therefore set back from the edge of the parapet of the terraces, thus allowing greater flexibilityin the placement of the windows of the rooms.

Functional solutions

The pedestrian access system allows access to the interior of the court from the south and east sides. The access to the stairwells is from a pedestrian path.  A series of private gardens, reserved for the ground floor accommodation, guarantees the necessary privacy with respect to the distribution paths.

Typological flexibility – Space program

The request to seek flexibility with regard to the positioning at the various floor levels of the different types of apartments has been resolved with the appropriate placement of the vertical connection blocks in a position inside the buildings. The choice of positioning the stairwells parallel to the main facades allows, in addition to the possibility of serving the possible third accommodation, above all the possibility of freely varying the size of the two adjoining apartments. The location of the stairwell inside the building also allows the entire extension of the external facades to be completely available for the lighting of the dwellings.

It has been foreseen the realization of 62 lodgings, according to the typologies indicated by the assigned cooperatives, distributed in the two different buildings:

– typology A (1 bedroom) nr. 7

– typology B (2 bedrooms) nr. 16

– type C (3 bedrooms) nr. 23

– type D (4 bedrooms) nr. 16

The net internal height has been planned to be 2.62m.

In the basement there are 62 parking spaces, 62 parking spaces for motorcycles, 62 cellars for the accommodation as well as an adequate number of technical rooms.

Impaintistic aspects

The Municipal Administrationhas imposed a careful reflection on the strategies aimed at limiting energy consumption such as to bring the new building within the parameters imposed by D.C.C. 96/38108 and the “CASACLIMA A NATURE” project of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The issues to be addressed in order to achieve this objective were:

– reduction of dispersions through building envelope

– rational use of traditional energy sources

– use of renewable energy sources.

The containment of consumption has been implemented by paying particular attention to the stratigraphy of the external perimeter masonry that has been realized in this way:

– internal plaster 1cm

– brick type Poroton T10 with insulating mortar thickness   30cm

-Thermal insulation coat 18/20cm

This stratigraphy guarantees a U transmission coefficient not exceeding 0.18 W/(m2K).

The use of renewable energy sources has been concentrated in a centralized solar system located on the roof of the highest building, which guarantees the production of a part of the total energy requirement. The buildings are also equipped with intensive green roofs to reduce rainwater dispersion. A rainwater collection tank in the basement allows rainwater to be reused for irrigation of common green areas.