Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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Introduction
The need to use renewable resources or those with no environmental impact clearly
leads to a search for new building technologies. Considering the energy efficiency
targets that have been set by nation states, there is a wide range problems to solve.
The desire to reduce the consumption of energy required for the movement of goods for
sale or of people to and from the workplace is a very good starting point if also seen in
relation to the consequent decrease in pollution. In this context, the possibility of
centralizing government functions by putting them in places close to services and means
of transport is certainly desirable.
Italy is characterized by a large urban heritage which is potentially usable and
recoverable for this purpose. It is enough to think about the location of buildings that for
reasons of size are no longer attractive to private ownership or for use in community .
The problems related to recovery of historic built-up areas are connected to specific
building techniques, which are respectful of the existing buildings, but at the same time
make it possible to increase loads in view of the need of new functions of the sites.
The criteria which can be used to evaluate the efficiency of such interventions can be
summarized as the following: positioning criteria, which implies choosing locations that
are as close as possible to services; construction criteria, which means choosing
advanced building types such as nested buildings in urban contexts which are no longer
able to guarantee the new structural requirements;
criteria of environmental sustainability, in other words, using renewable and eco-
sustainable technologies and above all using as much as possible no or low impact
energy for the good of the community.
These needs go well with the desire of governments and public bodies to use housing
resources, already present in the building area, recovering historic buildings that still
offer possibility for use using the elements outlined above.
The approach of this work has been the analysis of real data field regarding two
buildings in historical context, both of them for community use and intended to university
activities.
This analysis allows to identify one method of approach to the recovery of existing
buildings, considering building sustainability, the use of innovative technologies and the
use of renewable sources
The new University of Rovereto (Palazzo Piomarta, Trento, Italy)
The first project analysed is the new University of Rovereto (Palazzo Piomarta, Trento,
Italy), involving the architectural and structural recovery and reuse of two courtyards
located in a building in the historical centre of Rovereto.
The layout of the building is of a rectangular shape. The dimensions are 57x38 meters
and the total volume is about 41.000 cubic metres. The building is characterized by a
small basement located at +0.00m, a ground floor located at +4.75, a first floor located at
+10.95m, called "piano nobile" because of its aristocratic purpose, a second floor located
at +16.50m and a garret. Two courtyards can be found inside the building. (Fig. 1,2,3)
