Waterproofing of a Brutalist building

Domus Adriana was born in the seemingly narrow path of physical and architectural limitations and, like a stream in a gorge, it is precisely from obstacles that it draws energy and meaning.

The waterproofing of the large podium of a Brutalist building can only be in fair-faced waterproof concrete.

Domus Adriana was born in the seemingly narrow path of physical and architectural limitations and, like a stream in a gorge, it is precisely from obstacles that it draws energy and meaning.

A project designed by constraints.

Like the land located 9 meters above the street level, an existing building in grey concrete with which to communicate and, again, the absence of surface access to the road.

The architect Edy Quaglia has in fact decided to design a free form, which refers only to its own volume. A monolith characterized by an empty entrance, which connects the entire volume with the street below.

The clients of the work are the owners of the Taddei di Viganello construction company. Domus Adriana was therefore required to also be an expression of their professional quality and their passion.

In this sense, facing concrete is the most effective choice, because it literally leaves the builder’s work bare, showing his skill and care without filters.

However, the proximity of another concrete building presented a context problem, which in turn proved to be a powerful opportunity.

To mark the gap between the two buildings, the concrete was in fact colored red and, consequently, rough formworks were used, laid horizontally.

In addition to defining the identity of Domus Andriana, this choice has enhanced the dialogue between the two buildings.

The coloring and horizontal formwork also characterize the space between the volumes and, in particular, the elevator walls and open stairways.

An architectural continuity that brings out the idea that the void separates the two volumes of the building, but formally unites them, emphasizing the fixed scene.

Domus Adriana is spread over seven floors, three of which are completely underground and four resting on the natural ground, divided into apartments.

The hypogeum is a waterproof structure made with a 1,540 m² Drytech Tank, which houses cellars and laundries for each apartment, the technical rooms and two garages with direct access to the street.

Owners: Fulvio and Adriana Pagnamenta, Cureglia

Project: Architetto Edy Quaglia, Lugano

Structure: Ing. Fulvio Pagnamenta, Cureglia

Construction: Taddei, Viganello

Drytech Tank: 1,540 m²

Photos: L. Crivelli, A. Vitiello, G. Pagnamenta

Waterproofing of the iconic fair-faced concrete roof pool

The iconic hanging swimming pool in exposed concrete, with a glass wall overlooking Lake Lugano, is the emblem of the Drytech Tankl, which enhances the purity of lines of the project by architect Edy Quaglia.

The waterproofing of the iconic fair-faced concrete roof pool, with its glass wall overlooking Lake Lugano, is the emblem of the Drytech Tank system.

Form and function coincide, just as the waterproof concrete structure corresponds exactly to the purity of lines of architect Edy Quaglia’s design.

The edges of the pool and the walkable areas are waterproofed with the continuous Drycoat, which adapts like a second skin to the surface.

Project: Architetto Edy Quaglia, Lugano

Construction: Garzoni, Lugano

Drytech Tank: 40 m²

Waterproofing of a rooftop swimming pool

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

Drytech realised the waterproofing of a rooftop swimming pool with the Drytech Tank waterproof concrete structure.

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

Waterproofing of a residential complex in contact with the sea

The conversion of the industrial port area, west of the Genoa airport, also involves the construction of the Borgo alla Marina residential complex.

The Drytech Tank was chosen for the waterproofing of a large residential complex in direct contact with the sea.

When construction was complete, the waterproofing of the underwater level was tested by flooding the site perimeter.

After checking the watertightness of the Drytech Tank, the structure was launched by removing the sheet piling.

The conversion of the industrial port area, west of the Genoa airport, also involves the construction of the Borgo alla Marina residential complex.

200 prestigious apartments, with relative berths and garage, overlooking a new tourist port.

Below the buildings and the square, in direct contact with the sea water, is the covered parking area for residents.

Project: Studio Gnudi, Genova

Contractor: Aurora Costruzioni, Milano

Double waterproofing for the pool surrounded by a water garden

Piscina a sfioro immersa in un giardino acquatico, anch’esso a sfioro. Con una vista mozzafiato sul lago di Lugano.

Double waterproofing for the infinity pool surrounded by a water garden, also an infinity pool with a breathtaking view of Lake Lugano.

This striking pool is a Drytech Tank with three walls against the ground and one – lake side – fully exposed.

Project: Franzi and Canetta Architects, Noranco

Waterproofing the underground levels

The AlpTransit Operations Centre in Pollegio, which operates the railway traffic in the Gotthard and Monte Ceneri base tunnels.

Waterproofing the underground levels of the AlpTransit control tower with the Drytech Tank waterproof concrete structure.

The AlpTransit Pollegio Operation Center manages the railway traffic of the Gotthard and Monte Ceneri base tunnels.

Known as “The Periscope” for its futuristic architecture, the POC is one of the four SBB operating centers in Switzerland, together with the ultra-modern centers of Lausanne, Olten, Zurich.

Height and shape of the building are the architectural response to two functional constraints.

The POC marks and declares the entrance to the Gotthard base tunnel. It is a symbol.

To be perceived as such by the railway and the motorway it was developed in height.

The second constraint is the dimensional incompatibility between the control room and the type of an office building, which has led to accepting the contrast and expressing it in a radical way. Thus, the double-height slab of the control room is grafted onto a trunk of office space, arranged diagonally on the lot.

The AlpTransit Pollegio Operation Center therefore appears as a sculptural object animated by a twist between the two volumes.

Seen from a moving vehicle it transforms, changing its proportions and offering different states of balance.

Client: Canton Ticino logistics section

Project: Architetto Bruno Fioretti Marquez, Berlino

Structure: Ingg. Borlini & Zanini, Pambio Noranco

Construction: CSC, Lugano

Drytech Tank: 711 m²