Switzerland

Waterproofing restorations of motorway tunnel

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Entrance portal of the Vedeggio-Cassarate tunnel, at the Lugano Nord exit of the N2 motorway

Over the past three decades Drytech has carried out several waterproofing restorations of motorway tunnels on the Swiss N2 motorway, the main artery crossing the country from North to South.

The restoration system, based on expanding resin injections, sealed the seepages in cracks, joints and gravel nests.

Among others, Drytech has rehabilitated tunnels:

N2 Arisdorf tunnel – cracks, joints and gravel nests;

N2 Belchen tunnel, Dichten – passages, cracks and gravel nests;

N2 Hagnau Tunnel, Muttenz – passages and associated structures;

N2 Pratteln Tunnel, Liestal Schönthal – cracks, wall and ceiling joints;

N2 Lange Heid Tunnel, Münchenstein – movement joints;

N2 Dosso Taverne Tunnel – recess joints;

N2 Melide Grancia Tunnel – cracks and joints in the technical tunnel;

N2 Galleria Melide Grancia – cracks and joints in the summit part of the vault;

In addition, Drytech restored the portal of the Vedeggio Cassarate tunnel by sealing cracks.

Waterproofing buried podium

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An architectural detail that alludes to the battlements of the ancient city walls and breaks up the composed monumentality of the building.

The waterproofing of the partially buried podium of the Torricella-Taverne school is made with a Drytech Tank.

The construction of the Torricella-Taverne nursery school is part of the overall reorganization of an area in which the construction of various public, scholastic and sporting works is planned.

The Celoria Architects studio has translated the constraint represented by an existing wall into a resource, which, by touching the individual elements present in the area, defines their mutual relationships.

The wall has in fact become the main subject of the intervention, constituting the base of the building and the site of the pedestrian walkway that leads to the school and connects to the sports fields via a ramp.

The three remaining sides of the podium are underground and house the technical and service rooms in a waterproof Drytech Tank structure.

The planimetric organization of the building interprets the functional indications relating to school buildings, with the aim of optimizing circulation spaces, reducing distribution to a minimum and eliminating corridors.

The abstract composition of the volume is however softened by the introduction of some elements somehow extraneous to this composed monumentality, which allude to ancient bastions characterizing their formal expression. 

Even if the final touch of tenderness to the Torricella-Taverne nursery school is given by the row of small colored scooters parked under the loggia.

Project: Celoria Architects, Balerna

Structure: Brenni engineering SA, Mendrisio

Construction: CSC SA, Lugano

Waterproofing of the underground car park of a data bunker

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One of the servers hosted in the bunker in the Swiss Alps

The waterproofing of the underground car park of a data bunker in the Swiss Alps was carried out in the water table with the Drytech Tank system.

The Swiss army’s underground bunker is used by MOUNT10 to transfer data fully automatically and encrypted.

Security systems are constantly being updated in order to protect client companies from the consequences of data loss, theft and modification.

Today, thousands of SMEs in Switzerland also benefit from the services offered by the Zug-based company MOUNT10 and its back-up servers deep in the Bernese Alps.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Client: Kappel Service AG, Zug

Structure: Egger Ingenieure AG, Gstaad

Project: gehret design, Feutersoey

Construction: Thoenen Bauunternehmung AG, Gstaad

Drytech Tank: 1’165 m2

Waterproofing underground tunnel

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Cunicolo AIL Agno-Bioggio

Waterproofing with the Drytech Tank structure of an underground tunnel that runs alongside a river and at one point passes under the bed of a tributary.

The AIL Agno-Bioggio tunnel for high voltage systems runs alongside the Vedeggio river for 4 km and, in a central stretch, is also bordered by the Prati Maggiori canal. Precisely at this point the route of the structure crosses the Riale Roncaccio drainage canal.

To overcome it, the tunnel dives further below the riverbed up to -5 meters from the ground level. Due to the particularly delicate position exposed to multiple water pressures, this section of the tunnel was created with a total Drytech Tank: foundation, walls and slab.

The Drytech Tank structure of the AIL Agno-Bioggio tunnel has a thickness between 30 and 40 cm and the joints have been waterproofed with injections of DRYflex expanding resin.

By sealing the entire thickness of the joint, the resin also protects the reinforcing bars, because it keeps water completely outside the concrete. In the event of any infiltrations, the system provides practical and easily manageable maintenance from inside the structure, without interruptions to the service.

The real possibility of carrying out maintenance contributes to the main quality of waterproofing: which is to prevent water from entering for the entire life of the work, i.e. for 50 – 100 years in the case of civil engineering structures, as prescribed by SIA 272.

Structure: Comal Engineering, Lugano

Construction: Implenia, Bioggio oh the 

Restoration waterproofing of a road tunnel

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Drytech vehicles near the service tunnel entrance

Restoration waterproofing of a road tunnel service tunnel affected by seepage and mould, with DRYflex resin sealant injections from inside the structure.

The tunnel originally provided access to a Cold War bunker, built between 1969 and 1971. It was later converted into an escape tunnel from the road tunnel.

In order to restore it, all electrical components were dismantled. and then moss and mould were removed to expose the wall and identify exactly where water was seeping in.

Drytech technicians then carried out crack sealing injections, sealing the tunnel vault and walls.

The intervention was carried out between 8pm and 4.30am to minimise the impact on tunnel traffic.

Waterproofing of the lift shafts and perimeter walls

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The events hall

Drytech realised the waterproofing of the lift shafts and perimeter walls of the new buildings integrating the renovation of a historical industrial site in Baden.



‘We were strongly oriented towards the prevailing industrial history of the Trafo site and took care to sensitively integrate the new building emerging from Hall 38 into the existing context,’ says architect Roger Biscioni.

The project recovered three industrial warehouses, transforming them respectively into a covered square, a structure housing an 80-room hotel and flats, and finally a pavilion housing a fitness centre with hammam, cinema and restaurants.

The intervention is also characterised by the 660 coloured windows by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, which give the impression of an industrial cathedral. Just as the large chandeliers in Hall 36, with their design inspired by the fuses of industrial transformers, enhance the history of the site.

The Drytech Tank, with its construction flexibility, allowed the waterproofing to be perfectly adapted to the requirements of a renovation of this complexity.

Owner: Baugenossenschaft Trafo II, c/o Eglin Immobilien AG, Baden

Contactor: Gross GU AG, Brugg

Structur: MWV Bauingenieure AG, Baden

Project:
Graf Biscioni Architektur GmbH, Winterthur,
Max Müller Architekt BSA SWB, Baden

Builders: Estermann AG, Geuensee

Waterproofing: Drytech Schweiz

Waterproofing swimming pools garage SPA

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The Corten cladding of the walls in architect Mino Caggiula's design.

The waterproofing of swimming pools, garage, spa and lift pits of the Blade villas was realised with the Drytech Tank system.

For architect Mino Caggiula “Designing means reworking what we have absorbed to find new solutions. Blade is the product of the experience lived inside a work of art by the American sculptor Richard Serra.”

The Ticino architect feels it is “a great responsibility to leave a balanced and integrated mark on the territory, capable of generating a harmonious connection with the space and the surrounding landscape.”
The operation was to carefully “scratch” the hilly terrain through the insertion of curved Cor-Ten steel blades, positioned so as to prospectively override the view of the forest to the south and lead the gaze towards the lake.

Organized into two separate blocks, the housing units are divided by a system of primary and secondary blades. The distribution on two levels also generates large terraces, which take on the dimensions of real private hanging gardens.

Tognola Group, which is the promoter and general contractor of the project, also developed the interior design of the villas. The complex also includes a wellness area reserved for residents, with gym, sauna and Turkish bath, plus an outdoor swimming pool.

Promoter: Tognola Group, Lugano

Project: Architect Mino Caggiula, Lugano

Strutture: Engineer Alessio Casanova, Pazzallo

Construction: GTL, Gravesano

Foto: Paolo Volonté

Drytech Tank: 2’875 m2

waterproofing garage basements pools

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Infinity pool of the Reka holiday village in Albonago, built with the Drytech Tank.

Drytech carried out the waterproofing of the garage, the basements, the swimming pools and the wellness area of the Reka village in Albonago.

“Making holidays and free time accessible to all”: it was with this objective that the Swiss Travel Fund (Reka) was founded in 1939, founded by visionary entrepreneurs, trade unions and tourism and transport companies. At the time, travel and holidays were prerogative of an elite.

Reka was created with the aim of making them accessible to an ever-increasing number of families, initially with a targeted savings system, then by developing its own holiday offers at affordable prices.

Reka has expanded and reconfigured the tourist village of Albonago with an investment of 33 million francs, creating 49 apartments, two hotel rooms, a tavern/pizzeria, a panoramic swimming pool, a wellness area, a bicycle station, areas for barbecues and playgrounds, for approximately 270 guests.

Drytech created all the waterproof structures of the car park, underground areas, swimming pools and wellness area with the Drytech Tank.

One of the symbols of the Reka village is undoubtedly the infinity pool overlooking Lake Ceresio, with an incomparable view that embraces the entire Gulf of Lugano, the iconic Mount San Salvatore and extends to the horizon as far as Malcantone. A privilege truly available to all families.

Preliminary project: Itten+Brechbühl, Lugano

Project: Charles De Ry Architettura, Paradiso

Structure: Pianifica, Locarno

Direzione Lavori: Implenia Building, Besso

Construction: Barella, Chiasso e Giovanni Quadri, Cadempino

Drytech Tank: 5’360 m2

Waterproofing of basement and fountains

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Aerial view of the Polis multipurpose centre in Pregassona.

Drytech has created the waterproofing of the basement of the Polis Centre with the Drytech Tank and the surfaces of the fountains with the Drycoat architectural coating.

The plan of Polis Multifunctional Center in Pregassona is a double L that welcomes and embraces, enhancing the sense of openness towards the outside. An architecture that is both symbolic and functional, which guides routes, creates aggregations and integrates the Center into the urban fabric.

The structure was designed by Studio Mario Campi, winner of the international competition in 2008. The subsequent development of the work was managed by the architect Rosario Galgano, until the inauguration in 2021.

The complex is an important resource of the social services network for the elderly in the Lugano area.

On the lower level, the nursery, with its own outdoor play area, overlooks the courtyard, which contributes to the intergenerational and interconnected character of the Polis Centre.

The opposite wing instead houses the structures for the functionality of the centre: radiology, underground car parks, supplier entrance, technical rooms, etc.

This level, partially buried in the profile of the hill, is made with the waterproof  Drytech Tank structure.

Drytech also created the waterproof covering of the courtyard pools, with the continuous Drycoat covering in two colors obtained from the mixture of quartz sands (not from paints) and therefore resistant to continuous exposure to atmospheric agents, without chromatic degradation.

The complex, like every new building in the city, complies with the Minergie energy standard, significantly reducing energy needs. Furthermore, the Polis Center is unique for the self-production of electricity, through an integrated photovoltaic system (BIPV) which exploits both the horizontal surfaces of the roof and those of the facades, equipped with a further 1,600 meters2 of photovoltaic panels.

Project: Studio Mario Campi

Executive project: Architect Rosario Galgano, Lugano

Structure: Afry Engineering, Rivera

Construction: Consortium Garzoni – Rizzani De Eccher

Drytech Tank: 2’900 m2

Waterproofing of Vira-Mezzovico aqueduct

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The main façade of the Vira-Mezzovico Aqueduct.

The waterproofing of the new Vira-Mezzovico aqueduct basin was carried out with a complete Drytech Tank, including a waterproof slab.

The new water storage and supply basin is part of the General Plan of the Aqueduct of the Municipality of Vira-Mezzovico.

Set into the mountain slope to minimize its visual impact, the Drytech concrete structure is entirely waterproof, both to the water present in the ground and to that collected in the internal basins. Even the slabs, covered by the lawn, are in Drytech Tank, therefore also resistant to root development.

The perfect correspondence between structure and function of the Drytech Tank makes it not only a solid barrier to water (the waterproofing is as thick as the structure), but also a durable system, because it is predisposed to extraordinarily practical maintenance. To the point that, specifically, any intervention does not require emptying the reservoirs or even interrupting the service.

The modernization plan of Aqueduct of Vira-Mezzovico also affected the water network, renewed for flow and efficiency in all its twenty kilometers of underground pipes.

Drytech Engineering collaborated already in the design phase with Lucchini & Canepa Engineering, for all aspects relating to the waterproofing of the structure.

Structure: Lucchini & Canepa Engineering, Lugano

Construction: Implenia Switzerland, Bioggio