ITAS – Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale “A. Tosi”

The energy improvement and seismic adaptation project envisaged intervening on approximately 7.100 sqm of facades, 7.100 sqm of roofs and crawl spaces and approximately 1.100 sqm of windows and doors.

The design solution for seismic adaptation involves the addition of new resistant elements, specifically new steel braces, which will constitute an additional structural system capable of fully resisting the design seismic action, in accordance with what is foreseen to Par 8.7.4 of the NTC.

The design solution for energy improvement mainly involves a major level II renovation pursuant to DDUO 18546 2019 which involves more than 25% of the building’s dispersing structure.
Interventions were also planned:

• on the regulation system of the heating terminals of the lighting fixtures;
• on the improvement of comfort and environmental compatibility in compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria;
• on the increasing use of renewable energy sources.

According to the recent indications of Legislative Decree 36/2023 “Public contracts code in implementation of article 1 of the law 21 June 2022, n. 78, including delegation to the Government regarding public contracts”, the assignment concerned the development of an integrated project at the level of Technical-Economic Feasibility for the subsequent integrated contract of Executive Design and construction, 

The disciplines that involved SCL and the trusted team of professionals that collaborates with the engineering firm were the following:

– structural design;

– architectural design of the building shell;

– integrated energy analysis;

– mechanical systems design;

– electrical systems design;

– construction site safety project.

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Structural works

For the classrooms and the boarding school, the new braces will be arranged over the entire external surface of the building, as an “external skin”, in order to spread the stressing actions at foundation level as much as possible. The external braces were designed with a “Vierendel” beam pattern so as to leave the positions and dimensions of the existing windows unchanged whilst maintaining their widespread effect.

Given the layout of the buildings, additional internal bracings, in the transversal direction, will be needed. The transversal braces, hidden inside dividing walls, will be positioned so as to interfere as little as possible with the internal architectural distribution.

Overall, the use of approximately 300 t of metal carpentry is expected.

At foundation level, new inverted beams will be created in correspondence with the alignments of the transverse braces inside the building. These elements will act as a connection between the existing longitudinal foundation beams, forming a lattice of ribbon-like beams capable of reducing and distributing the pressure on the ground.

In correspondence with the tunnels or cavities that run along the perimeter of most of the buildings, with the aim of adapting the foundations to the new loads transmitted by the bracing of the facades, the foundations will be reinforced by creating an integrative casting.

Building works

The energy requalification project involved the insulation of all the opaque structures of the building bordering towards:

– external (perimeter walls);

– cavity (basement floor);

– attics (roofing structures);

– the floors towards the outside (great hall).

Furthermore, the replacement of most of the building’s windows and doors was planned, except for those recently redeveloped, in particular in the boarding school.

From the point of view of fire prevention, in compliance with the most recent technical rules, the design alternatives analyzed were:

– creation of a simple homogeneous facade cladding with performances equal to those of the most restrictive reaction to fire class;

– creation of compartmentalization “bands”, in suitable material, along the facade.

For greater construction simplicity and considering the layout of the elevations, after careful analysis, the first solution has been chosen.

The resistance and reaction to fire requirements were met through the study of a technological solution that alternates layers of rock wool insulation with layers of protection and cladding in coated plaster or fiber concrete. All materials are approved in class A1.

The study of the cladding, in full respect of the formal aesthetics of the building, took into account the size of the metal facade carpentry required for seismic adaptation, embracing ad hoc solutions in case of thermal bridges.

Plant works

The heating system will be affected by the installation of heat thermoregulation devices thanks to the complete replacement of the existing valves and holders on board the emission terminals with new thermostatic valves.

Pursuant to the Ministerial Decree 06/23/2022 (so-called “C.A.M.” Decree), the installation of mechanical ventilation systems has been foreseen for environments with permanency of people.

In all the buildings of the school complex, as regards to the electrical system, the replacement of existing lighting fixtures with new low energy consumption and high efficiency devices has been planned.

Home automation systems have also been provided for the classrooms, supported by presence sensors, which will allow the reduction of electricity consumption.

In addition to what is foreseen for the artificial lighting of the rooms, the designer decided to introduce a safety lighting system, currently not present, in compliance with the most recent regulations.

In order to increase the exploitation of renewable energy resources, the installation of a 67.5 kWp photovoltaic system has been planned, with direct exchange with daytime users, consisting of classrooms and management buildings.

Construction site safety project

The works will take place simultaneously with the teaching activity, therefore the Safety and Coordination Plan developed within the PFTE takes already care of a correct evaluation of the interference between the construction site activity and the school.

To facilitate the planning and development of the phases according to the PFTE, the following have been developed:

– separate timetables for each building or homogeneous parts of the school complex;

– an interferential technical document relating to the entire school complex and the main and most significant work to be carried out.

Based on the criteria outlined in the aforementioned documents, together with the assessments relating to the specific risks listed, in the executive development phase it will be possible to coordinate and plan the interventions in the individual buildings respecting the following essential parameters:

– safety for everyone present within the school complex;

– compliance with the deadlines set for the financing;

– minimal impact of the construction site on the functionality of the school complex.