Case Study: ARTE Genova pilot Vico Noli, 1 - SHELTER Project

Short Description

Since the '90s, A.R.T.E. felt the issue of energy saving also in the historical centre. The project was the first pilot site for building restoration in the historical centre of Genoa, even if the solutions for renewal in this particular part of the town, aren’t so easy forward even if you look for basic line of work for particular historical period.

The choice of turning it into an experimental site, was due to 4 characteristic:

- building volumes of XII century;
- partially uninhabited building;
- dangerous structures (main vertical structure :stone; the horizontal one: wooden beams sometimes yards of ancient galleys);
- need for adequate housing in an area with lot of medieval origin buildings.

Part of the funds for the project were by the Regional Council, because the project was part of a wider restoration planning.

Key elements:

- The project included the renovation of existing parts(where possible) and use bioclimatic parameters(very unusual in ancient buildings); the first to produce smaller quantities of debris and therefore to produce less pollution.

- An other elements considered very important was being able to insulate the walls, protecting the frescos facades: walls were insulated from the inside through an inner wall made of coconut fibre bonded, creating an internal hollow space between the two wall.

- To limit heat losses were adopted double glass windows, and to get water saving it was studied to exploit the ancient water harvesting cisterns to collect rainwater and use it to clean the surrounding streets.

- All the building heating system was powered by the first type of condensing boiler.

Key Elements

Partnership Working

Several technicians are working at The Project: an architect, a structural engineer and an engineer specialized in technological systems.

Thermal Insulation

The external insulation will be realised with natural end innovative material.

Windows and Shading

Double paned, gas filled windows will be installed. Their class will be clearly superior to the old ones.

Heating and Hot Water

All the building heating system was powered by the first type of condensing boiler.

Water Saving

It was studied to exploit the ancient water harvesting cisterns to collect rainwater and use it to clean the surrounding streets.

Main Results

Lessons learned

It’s very difficult to find standard solutions which fits to the all the buildings in our old town. Anyway the search for new solutions and the effort to adapt them to individual cases is possible. And the result is an effective economic saving in terms of cost cutting and investment depreciation.

Additional Information

Contact:

Tulliola Guglielmi
ARTE Genova
E-mail: t.guglielmi@arte.ge.it
Phone: +39 (0) 10 53 901

Giordano Bertelà
ARTE Genova
E-mail: g.bertela@arte.ge.it
Phone: +39 (0) 10 53 901