The new gymnasium fits into the school and museum area of Chiasso and refers to the various elements of the environment. The project is characterised by the main volume, based on a square floor plan, and by the plinth that protrudes above the terrain. While the gymnasium has no specific orientation and presents itself as a public building, the plinth responds to the various situations and topographical divergences: to the north to the school buildings and the public car park it is an access terrace, to the south an open staircase leads to the park and to the east it delimits the street space and the square. It also takes over the height of the public facilities of the m.a.x. Museum and Spazio Officina, with the fountain serving as a transitional element. The choice of the punctual load-bearing structure on all sides allows the upper part of the hall to be separated from the plinth, the resulting opening ensures generous lighting and creates the connection between interior and exterior space.
The supporting structure of the basement (level of the hall) consists of a concrete trough partially sunk into the ground, surrounded by a slightly raised plinth. Due to the high groundwater level, the concrete trough had to be constructed waterproof (the "White Trough" system) and reinforced (beams in the shape of a cross). Above the base, the supporting structure is reduced to four double pillars in a V-shape, each in the middle of the façades. These support the upper concrete slabs on which the ceiling structure is supported. The horizontal forces are also absorbed by these concrete discs, which together function as a rigid frame.
To highlight the simplicity and the structural rather than superficial expression of the project, we opted for the "classic" natural grey concrete and wooden formwork. In order to obtain a generous formwork pattern, we worked with the largest possible formwork panels of 5m x 1m.
The building meets the Minergie standard. We attached great importance to natural lighting of the hall, the use of natural materials, a compact volume and the use of the sun.
[Source: Architecture Award Concrete] (http://www.architekturpreis-beton.ch/2013/PALESTRA-DOPPIA-CPC-CHIASSO/)
Photos: Filippo Simonetti
