Basements

The waterproofing of the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper

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The Intesa Sanpaolo Tower in Turin confirms the coincidence between form and substance that characterized the entire work of architect Renzo Piano.

The waterproofing of the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper in Turin with the Drytech Tank system has made the perimeter joint between the raft and diaphragm watertight, among other structures.

The Intesa Sanpaolo Tower in Turin confirms the coincidence between form and substance that characterized the entire work of architect Renzo Piano.

Just look at it to understand how it is made, how it works. Starting with the multiple relationships that he establishes with the environment, the city, the mountains on the horizon.

The east and west facades are characterized by tapered columns that support the 38 floors above ground, for a height of 166 meters.

A skin of mobile and transparent slats is suspended on these facades, which convey the air for cooling in summer and ensure thermal insulation in winter.

The skyscraper breathes and interacts with the environment, with the aim of consuming very little energy, which is moreover produced entirely from renewable sources.

The south side in fact entirely covered by a photovoltaic field of 1,600 square meters and the air conditioning system uses the heat exchange energy with the ground water. A rainwater collection system allows a saving of 48% of drinking water. Rain sensors and intelligent control units ensure controlled irrigation of green areas.

Lighting is also optimized through a louvered sunscreen system that modulates the amount of sunlight that penetrates the premises. At sunset the artificial lights come on automatically and gradually, according to the ephemeris.

The dialogue with the outside is not limited to the energy aspect, but also affects the social and urban plan. In addition to the offices for 2,000 Intesa Sanpaolo employees, the skyscraper has six floors dedicated to the public, with an auditorium, spaces for cultural events, a restaurant and a school. On the top of the Tower there is also the bioclimatic greenhouse and a panoramic café.

Started in December 2008, the first phase of the project ended in June 2011 with the construction of the foundations and the 6 underground floors with the top-down technique. Drytech has created all the tanks (internal and external) with the White Tank system as well as the treatment of the floor-diaphragm recovery joint along the entire perimeter of the basement, for a total linear development of 420 meters.

The underground floors house a car park with 300 parking spaces, technical rooms and the surprising underground garden, which also overlooks the kindergarten park.

At the foot of the skyscraper there is a park crossed by pedestrian paths that connect the surrounding avenues. On the large lawn, the kids give life to a theory of spontaneous and interminable football matches, making the doors with a pair of sweatshirts.

Ownership: Intesa Sanpaolo Spa, Torino

Project: Arch. Renzo Piano, RPBW Paris

Structure: FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores, Madrid

Drytech Tank: 5,200 m²

Waterproofing the underground garage

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Architectural detail of the loggia of the Municipal House of Cadempino

Waterproofing the underground garage of the Cadempino town hall, designed by Antonio and Luca Antorini Architetti.

The new Municipal House of Cadempino is the seat of the city administration, but it is also many other things for the citizens. It is first of all a square, or an agora: in the Hellenic sense the main place of democracy, heart of the polis and seat of the assemblies.

This large open space, which from an architectural point of view communicates with the volumes, enhancing them through the contrast between empty and full, from an urban planning point of view acts as a catalyst and multiplier of meeting opportunities, both organized and spontaneous.

The square is also an arena: the steps that define the west side host the public for en plein air shows or events. The hope is that it will also be colonized and chosen as a wall by the kids of the town, but these are imponderable dynamics on which architecture can affect up to a certain point.

The space is delimited to the north by the large multi-purpose room and to the east by the municipal warehouse, while the main building, just set back, characterizes the square with a spectacular loggia that lightens its volume, and on which Lorenzo’s mobile sculpture vibrates Change.

The basement houses two car parks with charging stations for electric cars.

The entrance to the Municipal House of Cadempino is created in a deep setback compared to the main facade, which also in this case the void gives lightness to the structure.

The three levels of the main building develop around a tree that grows in a winter garden created in the center of the structure.

Vital fulcrum of the building, visible from each level at a different height, the cork oak takes on an engaging symbolic value, in which democracy can be seen as a good to be cultivated with everyone’s contribution.

Project: Antonio e Luca Antorini Architetti, Porza

Structure 1: Ing. Alessio Casanova, Pazzallo

Structure 2: Ing. De Bernardis, Massagno

Construction: CSC, Lugano – Giovanni Quadri, Cadempino

Sculpture: Lorenzo Cambin, Sorengo

Drytech Tank: 3’190 m2

Waterproofing of an underground wine cellar

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The Giusti Wine cellar in Nervesa della Battaglia designed by architect Armando Guizzo

For the waterproofing of an underground wine cellar, a total Drytech Tank was built, as the roof is also covered by the vineyard.

The new Giusti Wine cellar in Nervesa della Battaglia was designed by architect Armando Guizzo to tell a story of ties with the territory and harmony with nature.

Ermenegildo Giusti is a convinced supporter of viticulture that respects the environment and people. Giusti wanted a winery that plastically expressed the values of sustainability and integration.

The cellar is two thirds underground, while the emerged part integrates with the territory, not only architecturally but actually: the undulating roof with its rows is not an aesthetic exercise, but rather an authentic wine-growing area, structured to support the weight of the agricultural vehicles and which produces bunches exactly like the surrounding rows.

Particular attention was paid to the roofing, with an in-depth study of the materials used for growing the vines. First of all, the natural soil that covered the area before the construction site was excavated was restored on the roof.

Below this original soil, several layers of different natural materials were laid, including expanded clay, which in addition to ensuring the growth of the vines, make an important contribution to the energy saving of the building.

The entire hypogeum was created with a single waterproof Drytech Tank.

Owner: Giusti Dal Col, Nervesa della Battaglia

Project: Architect Armando Guizzo, Montebelluna

Structure: Engineer Alessandro Pagnan, Montebelluna

Drytech Tank: 4,500 m2

Waterproofing of basement and swimming pool

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Architect Stefania Trevisani Mahler's villa consists of two volumes: one dedicated to housing and the other used as a studio for photographer Sandro Mahler. In the foreground, the swimming pool built with the Vasca Bianca Drytech waterproof structure, like the basement of the property.

The waterproofing of the basement and swimming pool of a villa designed by the architect who lives there, who has already used the Drytech Tank system for hers other projects.

Where do architects live? What is the house of someone who designs houses like? The answer of the architect Stefania Trevisani Mahler stands on a flat parcel, on which two independent volumes have been built: one dedicated to the house and the other used as a studio by the photographer Sandro Mahler.

The construction choices favored a prefabricated wooden structure with high insulating potential for all the perimeter walls of the volumes emerging from the height of the garden.

As regards the basement floors, the Drytech Tank System in waterproof concrete was instead opted for, due to the strong presence of water in the subsoil.

Project: Arch. Trevisani Mahler, Cureglia

Structure: Ingg. Giani e Prada, Lugano

Construction: Impresa Taddei SA, Viganello

Drytech Tank: 400 m²

Architectural waterproofing of the impluvium roof

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The Paolo Torriani Foundation for minors has created a new structure that allows the institution's activities to be completed, adapting them to the evolution of the needs of minors in need of reception, protection and educational support.

Architectural waterproofing of the impluvium roof and Drytech Tank for the basement of the Flying Boys’ House: the Torriani Foundation’s facility that offers young people a base to build their future.

The Paolo Torriani Foundation for minors has created a new structure that allows the institution’s activities to be completed, adapting them to the evolution of the needs of minors in need of reception, protection and educational support.

The upper floors of the structure are intended for ateliers with a therapeutic value, spaces for the involvement of families in the path of children and “bridging apartments” to support young people in the transition from the institute to autonomy and self-determination.

Learning, working, establishing relationships and growing one’s self-esteem: these are fundamental steps in the process of integration and emancipation.

For this reason, the Foundation has identified the Children’s Library, another historical Mendrisio institution, the ideal partner to create a working reality in which to start getting involved in a balanced and protected way.

The Library occupies the ground floor and also offers a literary tearoom.

In some sectors of the façade, the images of the “Flying Boys” with which the artist Roberto Mucchiut interpreted the Foundation’s goal are imprinted directly on the concrete: helping young people to grow in harmony to take flight in life.

The upper limit of the volume follows the slopes of the elegant impluvium roof, designed as a real fifth facade, giving a further element of dynamism to the Tower.

The roof was waterproofed with the elastic and continuous Drycoat covering which, overcoming the need for sheet metal work and with its reduced thickness, guaranteed the purity of the architectural lines.

Drytech has also created the underground level with the waterproof Drytech Tank structure.

Ownership: Fondazione Paolo Torriani, Mendrisio

Projekt: Krausbeck architetto with GSMM architetti, Salorino

Structure: Studio di Ingegneria Roberto Mondada, Balerna

Construction: Impresa Riva Costruzioni, Tremona

Drytech Tank: 600 m²

Drycoat roof: 250 m²

Waterproofing of a car park below sea level

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The Marina di Loano underground car park has 400 parking spaces below sea level. It was built with the waterproof structure Drytech Tank.

The Drytech Tank structure was used for the waterproofing of a car park below sea level.

The new car park of Marina of Loano has 400 parking spaces below sea level.

Loano is one of the most interesting tourist ports in Italy and the Mediterranean for pleasure boating.

The expansion of the Marina involved a surface area of 358,000 m2 and involves the construction of over 1,200 berths, with the possibility of mooring boats up to 50 meters in length.

The port and city are served by a car park with 1,000 parking spaces, of which 400 are underground. Or rather, submarines.

The underground car park of the Marina di Loano, created with the Drytech Tank System, drops 4 meters below sea level.

Structure: Mi.Pr.Av, Milan

Construction: Marcora SpA, Milan

Drytech Tank: 7,700 m²

Waterproofing of the underground car park

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The project of the new Tertianum Residence in Chiasso revolves around the concept of the square: the urban space of exchange, meeting and sharing.

The waterproofing of the underground car park of the Residenza Tertianum is realised with a Drytech Tank designed to withstand the load differences of the buildings and the central square.

The project of the new Tertianum Residence in Chiasso revolves around the concept of the square: the urban space of exchange, meeting and sharing.

If human relationships, relationships, are what make us recognize a place as our home, the main objective of architecture for the third and fourth age is to create the conditions for the formation of a new community.

Parallel to the themes of independence and privacy of living and care and support services, sociability is the third pillar of a healthy and stimulating life, at any age.

It is essential to live in places that offer us new opportunities to meet.

The Tertianum Residence is, in fact, a new playground in Chiasso and encourages a meeting between generations that will enrich both children and the elderly.

Inside the structure there are, in addition to the panoramic terrace, a restaurant open to the public, a doctor’s office, a podiatrist, a hairdresser and physiotherapy.

The large underground car park built with the waterproof Drytech Tank structure is also equipped with charging spaces for electric cars.

Ownership: Tertianum, Chiasso

Project: DF + Partners, Lugano

Structure: Jelmoni Ingegneria, Ascona

Construction: Quadri, Lamone-Cadempino

Vasca Drytech: 7’500 m2

Waterproofing of the underground technical rooms

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A detail of the canopy, with the evocative openings giving a glimpse of the sky.

The waterproofing of the underground technical rooms of the Chiasso crematorium was realised with a Drytech Tank made of fair-faced waterproof concrete.

The architect Paolo Andreani conceived the new crematorium in Chiasso. The structure, located in the center of the municipal cemetery, is characterized by an evocative perspective opening and an engaging permeability to natural light and the sky.

Crossing the entrance to the cemetery, the crematorium appears as a sort of rationalist arch. A door, a passage beyond which you can see, in a long perspective, the final limit of the burial ground.

The side volumes are hidden from view by cypresses, so the central nave appears as a dividing line between the earth and the sky.

Walking along the nave, welcomed by a bronze deposition by the sculptor Ivo Soldini of Ligornetto, we discover small openings with a square section that adorn the ceiling with glimpses of the sky.

In the center of the nave there is an altar above which a circular opening in the roof reaffirms the sense of transcendence of the place. The skilful use of natural and indirect light finds its apex in the rooms of the lateral bodies.

The full-height glass walls overlook minimal gardens, enclosed by perforated walls. The outside world is perceived behind a curtain and the light falls softly from above.

The architecture of these environments arouses the protection of an embrace and promotes meditation. The farewell rooms and the ceremonial hall – with the large stained glass window by the Swiss artist and glassmaker Servais Bastian Grivel – convey a sense of peace and harmony.

Ownership: Associazione Ticinese Cremazione, Chiasso

Project: Arch. Paolo Andreani, Chiasso

Structure: Ing. Chiesa e Partners, Chiasso

Construction: GTL, Gravesano

Drytech Tank: 530 m²

Waterproofing of the common underground garage

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Mixed residential and commercial complex, with underground car park built with Drytech White Tank waterproofing

The waterproofing of the common underground garage of a mixed residential and commercial complex was realised with a complete Drytech Tank, closed by a waterproof slab in the areas without above-ground buildings.

MPN Ingegneria designed the mixed residential and commercial complex, consisting of several buildings connected by the common underground garage.

In the hypogeum areas without buildings above ground, the Drytech Tank was closed by the waterproof slab.

The main body is intended for the supermarket and, in the basement, for the customers’ garage.

Eight apartments have been built above the supermarket.

On the opposite side of the internal road there are three buildings, plus a tower that houses a cafeteria. Below this area extends the garage with the residents’ private parking lots.

The underground parking of the supermarket and that of the residents are connected by a tunnel with a shutter which is located below the internal road.

The mixed destination makes the complex lively and lively during the day, and quiet and relaxing from the evening onwards.

The block is in fact located a few meters from the lake shore and is bordered to the east by the cycle-pedestrian street of Magliaso.

Project: MPN Ingegneria, Bioggio

Structure: MPN Ingegneria, Bioggio

Construction: Impresa Beloedil, Melide

Drytech Tank: 1’360 m2

Waterproofing of the double swimming pool in the lawn

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The large panoramic terraces of the Ginetta Residence in Morbio Inferiore are rotated with respect to the front of the east facade. The angle of exposure to the sun is thus increased.

The waterproofing of the double swimming pool immersed in the lawn of the Ginetta Residence is a Drytech Tank watertight structure, as is that of the basement garage and the technical rooms.

The large panoramic terraces of the Ginetta Residence in Morbio Inferiore are rotated with respect to the front of the east facade. The angle of exposure to the sun is thus increased.

The orientation of the building is an architectural component defined precisely in function of the control of natural light.

The project by the architect and urban planner Carlo Rizzi di Morbio, includes 20 apartments of various sizes, distributed in three independent blocks, organized in four levels plus a basement for garages, cellars and service rooms.

The broken lines of the main facade are counterbalanced by the essentiality of the north-west facade, crossed by the slight changes in level of the three buildings, which follow the natural slope of the land.

From this side you can access via a ramp to the large underground level, made with the waterproof Drytech Tank structure, as well as the suggestive infinity pool set in the large lawn of the property.

Project: Architect Carlo Rizzi, Morbio Inferiore

Works management: Architect Alessandro Caffi Bregola, Morbio Inferiore

Structure: Chiesa & Partners, Chiasso

Constriction: Consortium Medici, Morbio Inferiore / Barella, Chiasso

Drytech Tank: 1,900 m2