Mortuary, Chiasso

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

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

Prefabricated waterproof tanks, Loano

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 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 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

Expansion of the Frigerio plant, Locarno

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

Past and future have finally found a point of contact: the 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

Swimming pool in waterproof concrete

very long swimming pool

A swimming pool made of waterproof Drytech exposed concrete, very long on the way there 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

Sant’Ambrogio car park, Milan

In Piazza Sant'Ambrogio in Milan, the company Borio Mangiarotti S.p.A. built a five-storey underground car park.

In Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, in Milan, the construction company Borio Mangiarotti S.p.A. built a five-storey underground car park.

Drytech has designed a waterproofing system for the diaphragm, based on Injectable Waterstop Tapes.

By making the diaphragm waterproof directly, it was not necessary to create the lining wall, thus increasing both the internal volume to comply with the legal limits, and the surface, or the parking spaces available.

The Injectable Waterstop Tape for the joints between the partitions of the diaphragms is a Drytech patent that makes it possible to maintain the joint with ex-post injections of resin, performed in the event of any infiltrations.

The Drytech tape is laid with a special sheet piling which acts as a formwork of the diaphragm wall.

The diaphragm of the parking lot that flanks the Milanese basilica drops to a depth of 22.70 meters and the laying of a sheet pile of this size required special care by the company’s technicians, to ensure perfect alignment of the joints.

At the end of the casting, the sheet pile is extracted, equipped with a new belt and repositioned for the casting of the next septum.

The re-injectability of the DRYflex resin guarantees the possibility of carrying out maintenance on the diaphragm at any time, by intervening from inside the structure, without excavation or demolition and, above all, without having to close the car park.

Client: Comune di Milano

Structure: Ingegner Domenico Insigna, Milano

Construction: Borio Mangiarotti SpA, Milano

Drytech Tank:
Diaphragm: 5,600 m², h 22.70 m
Bed: 3,300 m²

Domus Adriana, Cureglia

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.

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

AET, Montecarasso

The new administrative headquarters of AET in Monte Carasso (the Ticino Energy Company) produces more energy than it consumes.

The new administrative headquarters of AET in Monte Carasso (the Ticino Energy Company) produces more energy than it consumes.

On the one hand it boasts maximum energy efficiency in every technical component inside the building, on the other it produces energy entirely derived from renewable sources.

A positive energy balance, consistent with the corporate mission, which makes it the public building with the best energy performance in the Canton.

Designed by architects Lukas Meyer, Ira Piattini and Francesco Fallavollita, the new administrative headquarters of the Ticinese Electric Company appears impenetrable or transparent, simply matching the point of view.

The core of the building is in fact set back from the modular concrete grid facade. What a surprising optical effect from the outside translates into visual comfort on the inside: the offices are in fact flooded with mostly indirect natural light.

The site is lapped by the Ticino river and a stretch of water has been created between the existing building and the new one.

The underground structure was therefore built with the Drytech Tank system: a waterproof construction of 1,190 m², which houses the technical rooms, changing rooms, warehouses and the AET general archive.

Client:
Azienda Elettrica Ticinese

Project: AArch. Lukas Meyer e Ira Piattini, Lugano + Fallavollita, Como

Structure: Tajana & Partner Ingegneria SA, Bellinzona / Spadea e Bondini, Lugano

Construction:
Bossi e Bersani SA, Bellinzona 

Drytech Tank: 1,190 m²

Roof swimming pool, Lugano

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 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 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

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

Pool and aquatic garden, Vernate

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

Infinity pool surrounded by an aquatic garden, also infinity.

With a breathtaking view of Lugano Lake, this suggestive swimming pool is a Drytech Tank with three walls against the ground and one – on the lake side – completely exposed.

Project: Franzi and Canetta Architects, Noranco