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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Figure 13: Capital of the column
Figure 14: Concrete "Volterrane"
Restoration project
Once the phases of the materials survey materials were completed, the designers
produced architectural and structural restoration projects.
The spaces which may involve the greatest amount overcrowding, such as rooms for
lessons, seminars or workshop activities, are located on the ground and first floor.
The spaces for library and study areas are located on the basement floor as well as
secretarial and rest areas, while the second floor is reserved for research spaces,
workrooms and clerical duties.
There is also one basement and a "mezzanino". The idea is that they could in future host
the psychology laboratory.
Near the existing stairwells there are two new elevators and a services duct to allow for
the passage of the distribution system. The toilets are located near these.
With this decision the designer created two independent elements allowing space for
people and easy access to toilets, with the aim of reducing and optimizing distances
between rooms and functions not only in the context of the urban area but also inside the
building.The entry hall, main staircase and hall spaces are all accessible both from the
University and independently. In fact, in the case of external events such as exhibitions,
it is possible the rooms while the main university buildings are closed.
The proposed project is to return to the two original courtyards, not only in relation to
size but also the original concept of space. At the same time there is the desire to give
them back their collective use.
The project involves the removal of bulky fake obstructions in the galleries, leaving the
old loading structure made up of cast iron columns totally visible. A new flat transparent
cover will permit use of natural lighting with the aim of giving light to spaces below from
the ground floor to the second floor. In this case the project, at the same time, does not
reduce the original verticality of the original spaces and on the other side gives the
owner possibility to use low environmental impact energies.
In addition to this, and in order to maximize this aspect, a new glass floor was laid on the
ground floor. The function of this floor is to allow the passage of people from the galleries
to every part of the building.
At the same time it permits the passage of natural light also to the basement, where the
new reading room of the library is located, allowing for substantial savings as a result of
using natural lighting instead of electrical lighting.
To achieve this result, structural glass is used with metal girders, creating a translucent
floor with the effect of not interrupting the view from the ground floor to the building
roof.During this phase the amount of natural light due to the new glass has also been
studied. This study was conducted considering the lighting on the floor of the reading
