Participation in integrated tender
This is a project carried out as part of a temporary association of companies (ATI), prepared for the awarding of the integrated contract for the construction of the school in Novate Milanese.
Brief project description
Fornale Engineering was responsible for the final structural design. The intervention was designed in view of the imminent demolition of the existing school complex. The new building covers approximately 1,500 sq m across 2 floors and was designed to accommodate 15 classrooms for a total of approximately 375 students. An auditorium connected to the building was also designed, accessible from the outside for activities aimed at the entire community.
Above-ground structures
The vertical load-bearing structures consist of 12 cm thick, 5-layer CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels. External glulam columns were designed with terminal “braces” that evoke the image of a tree. These columns are necessary to support the roof overhangs, which reach 5 m in some areas. To crown the internal garden along the glass walls, steel columns filled with concrete were planned to ensure the R60 fire resistance requirement.
Roof slab
The unique feature of the structure lies in the roof slab, which curves upward from the perimeter until it reaches its highest point near the internal winter garden. A radial arrangement of GL32c glulam curved beams was planned, positioned every 12°, with secondary beams of variable section along the axis of the main beams.
