Luca Negri

Waterproofing a five-storey underground car park

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Drytech Tank system for the 5 floors of the underground car park of Palazzo Mantegazza, 15 meters from Lake Lugano, in the presence of a water table head of 18.80 metres.

Waterproofing a five-storey underground car park below the level of the lake, with a water table of 18.80 metres.

The underground parking garage of Palazzo Mantegazza in Lugano was built on the lakeshore underwater, using the hanging formwork technique: after the completion of the diaphragm walls, the ground floor slab is cast, leaving openings through which excavation is carried out down to the level of slab -1.

Then the formwork already used for the zero slab is lowered and, once it has reached level -1, the new slab is cast on it. And so on up to the bed, at level -5.

The walls of the Drytech Tank are made directly against the diaphragm, obtaining both the lining and the wall itself in a single casting.

Project: Camponovo Architetti & Associati, Breganzona

Structure: Studio Ingg. Mantegazza e Cattaneo, Sorengo

Construction: Garzoni SA, Lugano

Drytech Tank: 6’600 m²

Waterproofing recycled concrete basement

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A building that produces environment.

Waterproofing the recycled concrete basement of an environmentally friendly building in Stabio.

The Shield is the new frontier in construction, extending the concept of sustainability to the regeneration of biodiversity, establishing an active and osmotic connection with the context.

The Scudo di Stabio by architect Giuseppe Rossi is Minergie-P-ECO certified and is the first residential building in Ticino built according to the Swiss Sustainable Construction Standard (SNBS 2.0 BUILDING – GOLD certified). For the innovative choices that characterize it, it was selected among the finalists of the Active House Awards 2022 in the Netherlands.

A sustainability that starts from the volumetric compactness of the structure, functional to the energy efficiency of the building. The construction consists of two systems. The first, in recycled reinforced concrete, concerns the basement, the ground floor and the central distribution volume.

The other consists of the two wooden macro-volumes, dedicated to the apartments distributed over two floors. Vitro-photovoltaic tiles are set on the suggestive cork roof: a renewable energy production system that combines functionality and design and makes the building self-sufficient.

The project also involved the outdoor spaces, planted with native hedges that attract birdlife with berries and acorns.

The vocation for dialogue with the context is also expressed through the promotion of shared and green mobility, thanks to the availability of electric bicycles and car parks with charging stations for cars.

General contractor: Luca Bolzani, Mendrisio

Project: Arch. Giuseppe Rossi, Mendrisio

Structure: Eng. Roberto Mondada, Balerna

Construction: Garzoni, Lugano

Drytech Tank: 260 m2

Waterproofing below the lake

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The symbiosis between the Hotel Il Sereno di Torno and Lake Como began right from the laying of the first stone. The design hotel has literally risen from the waters of the Lario.

For the waterproofing of the rooms below the lake level and the swimming pool of the hotel Il Sereno in Torno, Drytech Tank waterproof structures were built with construction materials that arrived on site via barge.

The symbiosis between the Hotel Il Sereno di Torno and Lake Como began right from the laying of the first stone. The design hotel has literally risen from the waters of the Lario.

The charming country road that leads to the hotel is in fact not passable by heavy vehicles, so all the material for the construction arrived by lake on board barges.

The dominus of this complex construction site was the architect Fabio Curcio Valentini, construction manager and coordinator of the architectural project of Patricia Urquiola, who also created the contemporary interior design of the Luxury Hotel.

The construction was consolidated with poles placed in the water, and the area dedicated to the technical systems was obtained by digging into the granite rock without using explosives, up to a depth of seven meters below the level of the lake and creating the waterproof structures with the Drytech Tank system.

The old dock was incorporated into the new building of four floors above ground and two underground floors.

The lake-front wing towards Como hosted the underground garage and the heated outdoor swimming pool, also a Drytech tank and covered in Brazilian karst stone.

Project and Interior Design: Architetto Patricia Urquiola, Milano

Works management: Architetto Fabio Curcio Valentini, Como

Garden Design: Patrick Blanc, Parigi

Structure: Studio Faber, Parma

Construction: Costruzioni Carboncini & C., Lomazzo – Setten Genesio, Oderzo

Drytech Tank: 4’335 m²

Waterproofing concrete cast into the water

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There are only two ways to build a waterproof structure directly in water: either the classic double tank, or the single tank of the Drytech Tank technology.

Waterproofing with the Drytech Tank system of concrete underground structures cast directly into the water, below the lake level.

There are only two ways to build a waterproof structure directly in water: either the classic double tank, or the single tank of the Drytech Tank technology.

The undergrounds of the Villa Branca Residence in Melide, on the banks of the Ceresio, were built with this system.

A luxurious crescent consisting of 16 apartments and 5 penthouses, with terraces, roof gardens, whirlpools and parking below the lake level.

In addition to allowing underwater installation, the Drytech tank ensured compliance with the internal volumes envisaged in the project, being a single waterproof concrete structure.

Drytech Engineering has defined the recipe for waterproof underwater concrete. As the casting matured, the construction details were waterproofed with the injection of DRYflex resin, effective despite the presence of water outside the new tanks.

Client: Chiancianesi & Longoni, Pregassona

Project: Archiconsult SA, Lugano on behalf of Marco Chiancianesi and Daniele Longoni with the architectural supervision of Source Project Manager SA

Structure: Ing. Alessio Casanova, Pazzallo

Company: PromEng SA, Lugano Besso

Drytech Tank: 2,900 m²

Waterproofing of pools and whirlpools

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La façade Art Nouveau du Grand Hôtel des Îles Borromées

The waterproofing of the new indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools in the SPA of the Hôtel des Iles Borromeés writes a new chapter in the fascinating history of this prestigious hotel.

In September 1918 a 19-year-old American soldier was wounded in the trenches and spent his convalescence in Stresa.

That boy is called Ernest Hemingway and, fascinated by the beauty of Lake Maggiore, he set part of his novel A Farewell to Arms – A Farewell to Arms, 1929 – there, making the Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées famous throughout the world.

It is just one of the many connections with history that have built the legend of the great hotel, inaugurated in 1863.

With the opening of the Simplon railway tunnel, Stresa became a privileged destination for elite European tourism and, in 1919, was included in the sixth route of the Orient Express: the one which from London reaches Istanbul through Italy, via Milan, Venice and Trieste.

The Simplon Orient Express soon became the most successful route and getting off at Des Iles gave wealthy travelers their first evocative impact on the Bel Paese.

In over a century and a half of history, the Hôtel des Iles Borromeés has been able to adapt the concept of elegance to the evolution of times and tastes, without distorting its inimitable Art Nouveau style.

The new Spa was inaugurated in 2022, with wellness programs, saunas, Turkish baths, salt rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hydromassage tubs, all made with the integral waterproofing of the Drytech Tank.

The speed of construction of the Drytech system allowed the Bellani company of Arona to remove the waterproofing activities from the work calendar, delivering the new structure in time for the opening of the grand season.

Drytech Engineering also designed the solution for a sensitive structural detail such as the passage between the internal and external swimming pool, subject to significant temperature variations depending on the season.

Project: Architect Statilio Ubiali, Verdellino

Structure: Eng. Marco Danioni, Dormelletto / Eng. Carlo Sammartini, Cassano Magnago

Testing: Architect Alberto Marzaro, Mercallo

Construction: Bellani, Arona

Drytech Tank: 2,850 m2

Waterproofing of the skyscrapers

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The theory of skyscrapers in Milan's Porta Nuova district, the basement of which was built with a 43,730 m² Drytech White Tank waterproof structure.

The waterproofing of the skyscrapers in Milan’s Porta Nuova district was carried out with 43,730 m² of Drytech Tank.

The masterplan of Milano Porta Nuova was signed by the Kohn Pedersen Fox studio of London, while the executive plan is the work of the Arquitectonica IC of Miami and m²P Associati of Milan, for the commissioning of Hines Italia and Galotti SpA.

3,000 m² are destined for the Municipality of Milan to make it a cultural center. The four underground levels, made with the Drytech Tank waterproofing system, house parking spaces for 2,000 cars.

Drytech has built 43,730 m² of waterproof underground structures with the White Tank System, collaborating with the designers of Arup Italia in Milan and coordinating with the CMB company for the preparatory activities for waterproofing which, being parallel to those of the construction site, are in fact been removed from the work calendar.

Owner: Hines< Italia / Gallotti Spa

Project: Kohn Pedersen Fox, Londra / Arquitectonica IC, Miami / m²P Associati, Milano

Structure: Arup Italia, Milano

Works Management: Engineer Coppi, Modena

Construction: CO, VAR: Sarl, Reggio Emilia

Waterproofing: Drytech Italia, Como

Drytech Tank: 43’730 m²

Waterproofing of the underground gymnasium

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The new underground gymnasium of the Massagno school, made with Drytech White Tank waterproofing

The waterproofing of the underground gymnasium of the Massagno primary school with the Drytech Tank structure made it impermeable to both water and radon.

This is the story of a beautiful elementary school from the 1960s that wants to continue to be beautiful in the new millennium. Where beautiful means adequate to the needs of modern pedagogy.

With this objective, the project by the Durisch + Nolli and Giraudi Radczuweit Architetti studios proposed the integral maintenance of the body of the school designed sixty years ago by Arch. Finzi, updating it through a process of reorganization, adaptation and expansion.

The spaces have been rethought on the needs of contemporary teaching, which requires larger classrooms to allow for dynamic teaching, with flexible spaces divided into different areas of activity.

The school complex was then expanded and completed with the construction of a double gymnasium and a canteen for pupils and teachers.

The double gymnasium dug into the ground made it possible to maintain a proportionate volume with the school building.

The hypogeum consists of a 4,000 m² Drytech Tank structure, impermeable to both water and radon.

The roof of the gymnasium, on which the new school canteen also stands, is a completely accessible space: a large public square also for the use of the population.

Among the different access routes to the level, the long staircase perfectly camouflaged in the architectural lines of the south facade stands out for its architectural quality.

The complex is presented as an open system connected with the city, with which it dialogues and interacts beyond the educational function.

The outdoor public spaces are in fact characterized by a great variety of themed places: from the birch park to the basketball court, from the lavender hanging planter to the long pool / fountain that borders the canteen square on one side.

But the school-city integration is confirmed by the extensive mending of the pedestrian connections that characterize the urban fabric of Massagno.

The area is permeable and inclusive and invites to be crossed because it offers direct and safe routes.

The school becomes a daily presence for the whole community.

Property: Comune di Massagno

Project:
Durisch + Nolli Architetti, Massagno / Giraudi Radczuweit Architetti, Lugano

Structure: Lurati Muttoni Partner, Mendrisio

Construction: Quadri SA, Cadempino

Drytech Tank: 4,000 m²

Waterproofing garages and swimming pools

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Ra Curta residences Project A++, Lugano

Waterproofing the garages and swimming pools of a terraced villa complex, which follows the conformation of the terrain.

The emerging architectural elements of the Ra Curta residences follow the natural morphological elements of the lot, so that the project is strongly rooted and in balance with the context

The translation of the blocks downstream and the different heights lie harmoniously on the natural terrain, guaranteeing maximum privacy and visual channels to the lake.

The 4 blocks that are mirrored, accentuating symmetries and proportions, are crossed by two stairways that become urban connections between the streets of Montagnola.

Large terraces emerge from the ground like horizontal blades, the edges of which are made of different materials that form suspended frames and light eaves.

Particular attention was paid to brightness, while still maintaining a high level of privacy.

Drytech created both the hanging swimming pools and the underground waterproof structures, including the long and elegant access corridor to the private garages of the properties.

Promoter: Tognola Group, Lugano

General contractor: Abacho, Lugano

Project: A++, Lugano

Structure: Casanova Engineering Studio, Pazzallo

Construction: GTL, Gravesano

Drytech Tank: 4,200 m2

Waterproofing of the fuel tanks

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The fuel tanks of the service station of the new tourist port of Loano were built ashore by the company PB Lavori Marittimi of Ancona with the Drytech Tank technology

The waterproofing of the fuel tanks of the Loano marina represents the perfect application of the characteristics and qualities of the Drytech Tank.

The tanks of the new Loano harbour were built ashore by the company PB Lavori Marittimi Srl of Ancona in prefabrication on the pier and then launched at sea.

The construction of prefabricated tanks has the advantage of a more practical processing and with a higher quality standard, since the jet in water often produces gravel nests, regardless of the expertise and care of the diving technicians.

Where transport does not constitute an obstacle, the prefabricated tank is therefore preferred.

The tanks were built on the dock of the shipyard area of ​​the new port of Loano and Drytech Engineering collaborated with the designer already in the design phase, for the aspects related to waterproofing and the problems of transporting the tanks.

Made of XS2 exposure class waterproof concrete (submerged constructions in a marine environment), the tanks were again injected on the ground with DRYflex acrylic resin, which waterproofed the joints and shrinkage cracks by pressure. We then proceeded to lift and launch by sinking.

The 4 tanks were then welded with a crowning casting. Also this joint, prepared with the DRYset injection channel, was waterproofed for its entire thickness with DRYflex resin. After emptying it was therefore possible to carry out the final testing.

The Drytech Tank as a whole, and the DRYflex resin in particular, must ensure impermeability from aggressive elements such as sea water.

Construction: PB Maritime Works, Ancona

Waterproofing: Drytech Italy, Como

Waterproofing of the underground passage

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Insertion of waterstop tape in the cut made in the existing wall

The waterproofing of the underground passage connecting the new body to the main factory was realised with DRYset Injectable Waterstop Tape for movement joints.

The addition of a new body to the building of the Frigerio company in Locarno required the opening of a passage between the existing building and the new one.

The underground connection was made waterproof by inserting a continuous waterstop tape in the movement joint between the two bodies.

The DRYset injectable Waterstop Tape adds to the mechanical barrier function of traditional tapes the possibility of maintaining the joint over time, with possible re-injections of DRYflex expansive resin.

The profile of the Waterstop DRYset tape is in fact equipped with two micro-perforated ducts, through which the waterproofing resin can be injected and re-injected.

The tape was prepared in the Drytech laboratory and subjected to joint tightness tests before installation.

Access to the belt for any maintenance of the joint is guaranteed by cannulae accessible from the intrados of the building.

Owner: Poncini Holding SA, Locarno

Project: 3G Architetti SA, Tenero

Structure: Studio d’ingegneria Anastasi, Locarno

Construction: Gamboni e Salmina SA, Gordola