Primary school, Torricella

Scuola infanzia di Torricella-Taverne

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

Hydroelectric power plant, Casale Monferrato

The new hydroelectric plant of Casale Monferrato

Building for water can sometimes mean having to build underwater too. The new Casale Monferrato hydroelectric power plant was built below the left bank of the Po, and the river also completely flooded the construction site during the 18 months in which the work was carried out.

The natural flooding in the floodplain area where the construction site was opened did not represent a problem for the Drytech Tank, because the construction characteristics and materials of the system cannot be altered by the presence of water, not even during construction.

The same DRYflex resin, which is injected into the construction details to seal them, is effective in the presence of water, even under pressure.

Built by Allara SpA of Casale Monferrato, the system consists of a mobile weir in the riverbed, an intake structure upstream of the weir from which the diversion canal begins which conveys the water to the central building which houses the groups of energy production and, downstream of this, the return channel into the riverbed.
The work is completed by two access ladders – one on each bank – for the ichthyofauna and the ramp for the passage of canoes.

The mobile barrier crosspiece, made up of a tubular structure in water-inflatable rubberized fabric, guarantees the diversion of the water flow to the lateral intake work of the left bank.

When the water level upstream reaches the maximum authorized level, the crossbar is depressed under the pressure of the water that overcomes it, avoiding flooding.

With its 200 meters of longitudinal development, it is the largest flexible dam in the world built with this technology.

The production plant hosts four turbines that generate an average power of approximately 3000 kW, for an annual production of 21 GWh.

Access to the turbine room is guaranteed by an underground tunnel connected to an entrance hatch. The tunnel is also a full Drytech Tank (waterproof floor, walls and slab), connected to the main body by a movement joint which has been waterproofed with DRYset injectable Waterstop Tape.

Owner: Idropana, Turin

Technical direction: STA Engineering, Pinerolo

Structure:
Eng. Gianluca Odetto – SERTECH, Loranzè

Construction:
Allara SpA, Casale Monferrato

Drytech Tank: 1,200 m2

The snow factory, Carosello of Livigno

Drytech has built the new 5,600 m³ water tank, which will feed the cannons for artificial snow Close to the Carosello 3000 station in Livigno.

Close to the Carosello 3000 station in Livigno, Drytech has built the new 5,600 m³ water tank, which will feed the cannons for artificial snow.

The work, built in 5 months with a 2’175 m² Drytech Tank, is completely underground to have no impact on the Alpine panorama.

The practicality of the construction of the Drytech Tank makes the construction of these structures faster.

Time is a decisive factor in any construction site, but it becomes even more important for applications conditioned by seasonality (the structure had to be ready in time for the opening of the ski season) and with a climate that reduces the useful building time to a few months.

Drytech Engineering has formulated a waterproof concrete suitable for environmental conditions, based on the characteristics of the aggregates present in the plant chosen by the Edil Dona company in Valdisotto, Sondrio.

The acrylic resin DRYflex, which waterproofs the details by pressure, is certified for use in structures in contact with drinking water, so it is safe for the environment and therefore perfectly suitable for use in a tank that feeds the guns of snow.

One of the main acceleration factors on the construction site is the control of shrinkage cracking.
In fact, the Drytech tank allows you to make continuous castings (the bed was cast in a single solution) because the cracks are induced by the Cracking Elements, which can also act as disposable formwork.

Client: Carosello 3000, Livigno

Project: Studio Associato DMP, Livigno

Structure: Ing. Piergiacomo Giuppani, Sondrio

Construction: EDIL DONA, Valdisotto

Drytech Tank: 2,175 m²

Olympic swimming pool, Livigno

Federal Olympic Center of Livigno

One thousand eight hundred and sixteen and 50 meters. Added to the hyper-training altitude of Livigno are the 50 precious meters of the “Federica Pellegrini Swimming Area”: the new Olympic swimming pool, built by TMG of Berbenno di Valtellina.

The new swimming pool has 12 competition model starting blocks (6 on each side), with 5-position track start platforms. With particular attention to the swimmer’s well-being and the environmental impact, the water is disinfected with a hypochlorite (with low chlorate content), produced on site with electrolytic salt transformation technology, which among other things allows the reduction of chlorination waste products.

The safety of the structure is also at levels of absolute excellence. The pool is in fact equipped with the Angel Eye system: 20 underwater cameras that record images of the swimmers in real time. The system is able to identify dangerous situations and, in the event of an alarm, sends a signal directly to the lifeguards’ smartwatch.

Drytech carried out the waterproofing of all the foundations of the building, all the perimeter walls and the recovery tanks, collaborating with the structural engineers right from the design phase. All these structures are in contact with the waters of the Federia stream, a tributary of Lake Gallo, whose flow varies depending on rainfall regimes and, above all, seasonal thawing phases.

Naturally the new Olympic pool of the Federica Pellegrini Swimming Area is open to the public. Inside the Aquagranda center you can also snorkel while admiring the fish on the seabed or travel to the interstellar stations of Mars, Moon and Venus. All this thanks to Divr: a new form of virtual reality that uses multisensory technology, amplified by immersion in water.

Ownership: Aquagranda, Livigno

Project:
Architect Giovanni Colturi

Project collaborator: Geom. Demis Spiller

Structure: Eng. Fabio Fabiano, Varese / Engineer Marco Finazzi, Palazzolo Sull’Oglio / Eng. Fabio Sibaud, Como

Construction: TMG, Berbenno di Valtellina

Drytech Tank: 2,300 m2

Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena

The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena is an engaging hymn to the myth of the car and the architectural manifesto of Jan Kaplicky.

The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena is an engaging hymn to the myth of the car and the architectural manifesto of Jan Kaplicky: the Czech architect who founded the Future System in London.

The Mef can count on an area of ​​6’000 m², of which 4’400 are intended for exhibitions. The Museum is a car hood that emerges powerful from the ground. In Kaplicky’s style, the height is contained to establish a harmonious relationship with Ferrari’s birthplace, without however attenuating the evocative force of the new structure.

The exhibition spaces were developed in the basement, creating a waterproof structure of 5’850 m² with the Drytech Tank System.

Access to the museum is through an imposing curved glass wall, whose inclined plane is bisected by a series of fins that resemble the radiator of a custom-built car.

The exhibition spaces are accessed from the hall through two inclined platforms, going down to a depth of 5 meters

“Spaces defined by eight edges are not necessary, they are not mandatory”. One of Kaplicky’s famous phrases expresses well the spirit of the project, to whose sinuous lines the flexibility of the Drytech tank has been perfectly adapted.

The design phase saw an intense collaboration with Drytech Engineering to define the waterproofing solutions for the unprecedented construction details proposed by the particular shape of the basement.

Project: Future System, Londra

Structure: Politecnica, Modena

Works Management: Ingegner Coppi, Modena

Construction: CCC, BolognaIng. Ferrari, Modena, CSM, Modena

Drytech Tank: 5’850 m²

Residence Rivabella, Magliaso

The new pavilion of the Rivabella Residence in Magliaso

Inaugurated 30 years ago on the shore of Ceresio, the Rivabella residence in Magliaso has been equipped with a new and very modern wing which, together with the historic buildings, forms a spectacular courtyard overlooking the lake.

The new pavilion appears extraordinarily light, almost suspended by virtue of the retreat of the podium, camouflaged by the shadow cast by the upper volume and by the large windowed walls of the common areas, which make it permeable to the background.

Water represents an equally central element in the architecture of the residence. In addition to the lake, which naturally orients and catalyzes the views, in the center of the lawn there is a small lake with a water garden, water lilies and fountains.

The ground floor houses the large restaurant room, the gym, the physiotherapy and the wellness centre, with the spa equipped with Kneipp path, salt room, massage centre, and then the waterproof structures created with the Drytech Tank: sauna, bathroom Turkish, indoor swimming pool and hydromassage.

The Residence is organized to guarantee guests the possibility of maintaining their habits and independence.

The attention to the personal history and individuality of the residents also includes the possibility of choosing the furnishings of the rooms and suites, even using their own furniture.

Due to its exhibitions and concerts, the Rivabella Residence has become a cultural reference, to the point that its Art Gallery is the main exhibition center in the region. This cultural offer is accompanied by a notable concert season which, in the summer, has this fascinating corner of the lake as its backdrop.

Project: Luca Gazzaniga Architects, Lugano

Structure: Ing. Galli & Associati, Cadempino

Construction: Garzoni, Lugano

Photo: Enrico Cano, Lugano

Drytech Tank: 380 m2

Alpine Lodge & SPA, Campra

L'Alpin & SPA Lodge, progettato da Durisch+Nolli

Since 2019 Campra, the legendary Val di Blenio x-cross center with its 30 km of slopes, has been enriched with a welcoming and modern Alpine Lodge & Spa, with spectacular views of the woods and mountains.

Designed by the architects Durisch+Nolli around the main theme of valorising the context, the new building enhances the essence of the place, generating a natural interaction with the surrounding landscape.

The natural difference in height of the land is taken up by a concrete plinth which contains all the services and infrastructures functional to the various athletes.

The wooden accommodation structure rests on this concrete element, which on the ground floor houses the reception, the bar, the kitchens, a bright self-service restaurant, an elegant gourmet restaurant and a welcoming lounge bar.

The head of the building is strengthened in its expression by an additional floor entirely dedicated to the SPA: a wellness center with sauna, Turkish bath, hydromassage tub and relaxation area, offers a bright self-service restaurant, an elegant gourmet restaurant and a welcoming lounge Cafe.

The structure also has a versatile, bright multi-purpose room designed to accommodate different types of events, from private parties and aperitifs to conferences and meetings.

Property: Campra Alpine Lodge & Spa, Campra

Project: Durisch+Nolli Architetti, Massagno

Structure: Reali and Guscetti Studio d’Ingegneria, Quinto

Construction: Ennio Ferrari Company, Lodrino

Drytech Tank: 2,850 m2

Harbour parking, Loano

he new car park of Marina of Loano, one of the most interesting tourist ports in Mediterranean, has 400 parking spaces 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 1000 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

Liquid perspective, Coldrerio

very long swimming pool

A very long swimming pool on the way out and short on the way back.

It is the perspective effect created by architects Mikail Akbas and Massimo Carmellini, who also designed the villa on the heights of Chiasso.

Seen from the side of the diving board, the pool appears very long and the body of water is the absolute protagonist.

Conversely, on the opposite side it is the villa and the large lawn that characterize the space, and the swimming pool – which previously seemed as long as the porch – retreats into the greenery.

The infinity east side and the slope of the lawn produce another surprising effect, with the trees in the hedge appearing to rise directly from the water.

The exposed swimming pool was built in a Drytech waterproof concrete structure and waterproofed, once the construction was completed, with injections of expanding resin which sealed the joints, the shrinkage cracks and the numerous crossings, such as the inflow vents, the drains and the immersed lamps.

Project: Architetti Mikail Akbas, Chiasso and Massimo Carmellini, Balerna.

Construction: Garzoni, Lugano

Hanging swimming pool, Ascona

Overlooking Lake Maggiore, the house with a hanging pool designed and designed by engineer Bonalumi for himself.

Overlooking Lake Maggiore, immersed in the woods above Ascona, the house with a hanging pool designed and designed by engineer Bonalumi for himself.

The pool occupies part of the top floor and, from the water, the view sweeps across the entire lake.

The bottom of the pool is the slab of the master bedroom.

The structure is a Drytech Tank in exposed waterproof concrete, with the edge of the pool completely covered with the Drycoat waterproof covering.

Project: Pianifica SA, Locarno