BUILDING EVOLUTION

1968

In the architects’ first design, the foremost module facing Corso Europa consists only of the classroom on the second floor. The building closes without windows towards the south. The technical room including the lowpressure steam heater was already planned in the design and is an integral part of BCGZ’s design.

GSEducationalVersio

1969 - 1973

In the first construction phase, the municipality implemented seven modules; the three modules facing Corso Europa were not implemented in the first phase.

The building continues to close off on the south side without windows. In addition, the building is completely closed off from the street Corso Europa by a massive wall that reaches from the second floor to the ground. Only the entrance for the cars (ramp) offers an opening of the building.

1976 - ?

In the second construction phase, three more modules will be built, as envisaged in the architects’ first design. In addition, the first module facing the street changes in comparison to the first design by adding a first floor (room 1.1.), which makes the cubature appear heavier and the open space under the first modules is lower than in the first planning phase. The south façade is probably completely closed directly after the second construction phase, as in the architects’ first designs.

The technical room and the associated chimney are part of the south view of the second construction phase.

? - 2007

After the second construction phase, the south façade hardly developed any further. The car entrance was closed and equipped with a gate, and can now only be used by pedestrians.

The architects opted for a corridor for a window on the south facade to provide sufficient light in the corridor. In the first draft, the building ended, as in the first construction phase, with a closed wall, which corresponds to a logical continuation of the concept of the non-directional building and the similar modules.

Due to different radiators, it can be assumed that there were various technical updates up to the year 2007.

Visible traces

1. East façade: Visible colour difference in the plaster

The difference in the plaster could be due to a different plaster or colour. Another reason could be a different insulation of the buildings, which could have led to a different discolouration of the plaster over the years.

2. Window frame: Different quality

The window sill and the window frames are clearly different from each other in the east façade. This is due to the different materials used in the two construction phases. It is interesting that in the second construction phase obviously cheaper material was used, the material rusts faster.

3. Different window frame on the south façade

The window on the south façade has a different window frame than the other windows of the building. It is much narrower and not painted green. This indicates that the window was added after the second phase of construction. Cracks also run from this window through the façade (towards the east), which could also indicate a later opening of the façade.

4. Wall of the 1st construction phase

The continuous wall of the first construction phase is clearly visible against the wall of the second construction phase. It can be assumed that this continuous wall has a load-bearing function.

5 Height and texture difference on the roof elevation

The different construction phases are clearly visible on the roof. The bitumen membrane does not run through, there is a minimal difference in height.

6. Difference in the ageing of the façade

The façade of the staircase (west façade) of the first construction phase is clearly more decayed than the façade of the second construction phase. As with the east façade, there is also a clear difference in the paintwork.W

Concept

“If you know exactly what you are going to do, why do it? In the known, there is no longer any interest in doing anything else.” - Picasso

The architects BCGZ designed a new architectural typology of the school. It should fit into the landscape, not the other way around. It should be free and democratic and reinvent the school. In this way, the access ramp has become a collective space that passes under the whole organism and makes advantageous use of the emptiness caused by the horizontality of the building. The classroom modules originate from the same idea, but are each individual by adapting to the topography. Scattered light falls through the skylights as in an artist’s studio and the classrooms with small staircases, views and vistas are designed on the scale of a child.

Scuola elementare pubblica // Public Primary School

Typology Architecture for residential, service and commercial buildings; school

Use Former primary school

Reference dates 1968 - 2007

Architects Gambirasio Giuseppe; Barbero Walter; Cia gà Baran; Zenoni Giorgio.

Legal status Public authority o wnership

Geometrical Survey - Following Site Visit.

“The building body is placed orthogonally to the access road and develops its considerable length in the depth of the lot, obtained by “eroding” the slope for a necessary and sufficient space, thus obtaining to minimize the emergence of the volume in the wide around which, at the time of construction, was on lawns and trees. The building type features elements of the traditional school, such as the internal distribution corridor overlooked by the classrooms, however revisited with the insertion of four external stair bodies that create “clusters” available to the classrooms. Another important innovative element is the section of the roof, shaped in a “shed” facing north to exploit optimal light from an artist’s “atelier” is still reported in a document recovered by the councilor Pamela Maggi, architect by profession, a sorry for the “end” imagined for the property but certainly not in contrast with the decision taken by the administration, in the awareness of the bad resting, leaving appropriate gates; the casual use of geometry in the determination of the shape returns to the north with the 45-degree square of the anti-baths that determines in elevation the volumetric play of the vertices that harmonize and balance the complex. The overall system transmits a search for expressiveness, also diversifying the inevitable seriality of some constituent elements, with targeted solutions: so the stairs exhibit their angular geometries, the entrances and passages on the ground follow the dimensions of the grassy slope rather than grinding it, the double sequence of windows on the upper floors presents differentiated fields and scans according to the classroom destinations”.

- Architect Ottavio Federic, 2020 (Source: Leccoonline.com)

01.3.5 MATERIAL SURVEY

wall materials. Metalwork. Further materials.

EXISTING BUILDING SURVEY. Existing Material Palette - Exterior.

Main external walls.

Other wall materials.

Pre cast concrete walls with plaster finish A

Painted in a Vermillion Red, potentially inspired by Le Corbusier Couleurs no. 32090 (Rouge Vermillion). Paint is faded and discoloured in some places.

Poured concrete foundations.

Poured concrete infill foundation to ground floor at north end. Unfinished and untreated with exposed concrete texture and form work marks visible.

Concrete wall cast in form work A

Painted in Vermillion Red colour. Not sand-blasted or finished and mould of form work planks still visible as well as aeration in the concrete. Form work used mostly to ground floors where paint colour is faded most.

Pre cast concrete wall with plaster finish B

Thicker plaster coverage which has resulted in more cracking and damage over time. Painted in Red Vermillion colour.

Cast concrete wall in form work B

Cast concrete walls previously covered in plaster and paint. The original concrete wall and form work marks can be seen where extensive plaster has chipped away.

Obscured Georgian wire Glass

Also known as safety glass. Used in skylights towards south elevation and surrounding main entrance. Tightly spaced wire grid with dappled glass texture.

Concrete wall unfinished.

Concrete wall with no plaster finish and painted in Red Vermillion colour. Seen in some places to ground floor walls.

Translucent Polycarbonate roofing.

Used for the remainder of the skylight roofing and for the entrance canopy to the East elevation. Extensive damage from sun fading and water damage.

Metalwork.

Metalwork.

Steel circular hand railing.

Painted in Ruby (deep red) colour. Most likely a recent addition. Only seen to main external entrance and internal staircase. Paint worked is chipped and damaged in some areas.

Rubber sheet flooring.

Non-slip rubber flooring added to entrance stairs. In black-dark grey colour. Mostly likely a recent addition as the rubber has not began to decay or corrode.

Material EX.H

Steel wire Grid.

Some of the windows which have experienced severe damage and smashed panes now have steel grids screwed to the outside to prevent break-ins. The grids themselves have began to rust and oxidise.

Water pipes from main water supply, likely to have originally been lead or cast iron, may be replaced in some areas with galvanised zinc and PVC.

Material EX.I

Material EX.J

Thin metal sheet roof and flashing, presumed to be lead but may be mild steel or aluminium. Painted in Seafoam (soft green) colour. Extensive paint chipping and some rusty and oxidisation.

Lead parapet flashing.

Roof parapet flashing in thin sheet metal. Presumed to be lead but may be mild steel or aluminium. Painted in Seafoam (soft green) colour. Some damage but less so in comparison to flashing roof.

Steel concrete reinforcements.

In some areas the damage to the cast concrete elements is so extensive that the steel reinforcements can be seen and have began to corrode. The concrete aggregate mix can also be seen here.

White painted pre cast concrete slab

To the underside of the building at ground level the pre cast concrete slab is left untreated and exposed. The exposed slab elements are painted in an off-white colour.

Material EX.K

Material EX.M

EXISTING BUILDING SURVEY.

01.3.5 MATERIAL SURVEY

Existing Material Palette - Interior.

EXISTING BUILDING SURVEY. Existing Material Palette - Interior.

Walls.

Concrete wall -cast in form work A

Painted in Seafoam (soft green) colour. Not sand-blasted or finished and mould of form work planks still visible as well as aeration in the concrete.

Original Ochre painted wall

Visible in areas where previous fixtures and fittings have been removed. Original wall colour to classrooms and coridoors in dark

Obscured Georgian wire glass A

Also known as safety glass. Used for majority of internal half glass partition walls and some of the skylight. Extensive damage seen to majority of panes.

White glazed floor tile

Roughly 250x250mm glazed ceramic tile in white colour. Used in all bathroom flooring. Mostly intact bar some damaged tiles.

Material A

Concrete block wall

Painted in Seafoam (soft green) colour. Block work used for majority of internal walls. Some damage or marking to paint work visible.

Material B

Concrete wall cast in form work B

Painted in Pistachio (brighter green) colour. Not sand-blasted or finished and mould of form work planks still visible as well as aeration in the concrete, heavily textured in some places.

Material C

Material E

Concrete wall - precast

Painted in Seafoam (light green) colour. Not sandblasted or finished so original texture is visible. Cracks seen in some places. Pre cast walls used for main elevations.

Material D

Material F

Plastic light switch and Concrete floor slab

Polycarbonate window

Off-white glazed wall tile

Ivory colour with whiter coloured switches. Single switch in ivory plate, both single and double sockets in ivory plates are used throughout.

Window to south elevation fitted with translucent polycarbonate. Window added at later date and not original to the design.

Roughly 80x80mm glazed ceramic tile in off-white -lilac colour. Used in all uper floor bathroom walls to two thirds height.

Structural pre-cast reinforced concrete floor slab (estimated 2750mm depth). Extensive damage from tile adhesive visible.

Obscured glass pane A

With regimented ‘spotted’ pattern. Used to internal half glass partition walls. Extensive damage to panes including some missing, smashed or seemingly cut through.

White glazed wall tile

Roughly 80x80mm glazed ceramic tile in white colour. Used for ground for bathrooms and at sink surrounds in first floor and ground floor classrooms. Likely added at a later date.

Mild steel window frame and sills

Painted in dark Forest green. Rusting and oxidisation visible to majority of the frame and sills, but metalwork in mostly intact.

Georgian wire glass B

Featured in lower level windows towards north of the site. Larger grid in comparison to internal panes.

Linoleum floor tiles

Roughly 300x300mm lino floor tiles in Pistachio colour with abstract white linear pattern. Used extensively throughout the majority of the building. Extensive damage also seen with most tiles loose or missing.

01.3.5 MATERIAL SURVEY

EXISTING BUILDING SURVEY.

Existing Material Palette -Interior cont.

Walls, materials cont.

Features and fixtures.

Material M

Concrete wall -cast in form work C

Painted in White colour. Not sandblasted or finished and mould of form work planks still visible as well as aeration in the concrete.

Wooden dado rail

4mm wooden dado rail at half wall line, screwed and most likely glued to walls. Painted in both Seafoam (light green) and White. Metal hooks or pins often attached to hang students work.

Polished stone risers

Stone risers to stairs. Polished finish in a creamy grey-beige tone. Potentially a polished Sandstone, Lightstone or Tavertine.

Painted mural on doors

Two upper floor classrooms feature this painted mural to the two doors. A single flower of red, yellow and Forest green colour.

Cast iron radiator A

Seen in both White painted finishes. Ranging in width and height depending on location. Most likely original features. Seen in classrooms and lower ground rooms.

Steel circular hand railing

Painted in Ruby (deep red) colour. Most likely a recent addition. Only seen to main external entrance and one internal staircase to upper floor classrooms.

Material N

Obscured glass pane B

With organic dappled pattern. Used to some internal wall glass partition walls. Extensive damage seen to most panes. Most likely recent additions to replace previously broken panes.

Internal stud walls with plasterboard

Two stud walls enclosing the furthest south classroom on the first floor. Most likely a recent addition to enclose the extended spaces. Studs are splitting in places. Painted in Seafoam (light green) colour.

Material P

Fitted blackboards.

Some classrooms are fitted with blackboards, adhered to wall with screws.

Material Q

Material T

Steel spiral radiators

Painted originally in white colour, extensive rusting to majority. Seen in coridoors.

Welded Steel Railing A

Painted in Vermillion (rusted red) colour. Railing to split level classrooms. Original feature.

Material R

Material U

Cast iron radiator B

Seen in both Pistachio, Seafoam painted finishes. Ranging in width and height depending on location. Most likely original features. Seen in classrooms and lower ground rooms.

Un-finished wooden desk

Mostly likely pine wood, either previously finished and sanded or unfinished wood to top of original desk.

Material S

Material V

Steel cabinets

Loose cabinetry seen in some of the upper floor classrooms. Painted in a mid-grey tone, extensive rusting seen to back of majority of pieces.

Welded Steel Railing B

Additional red painted steel railing added to one of the second floor classrooms, welded to the original steel frame. Painted in brighter red colour.

Mild Steel Door Handles.

Long, art deco style finish in a dark grey buff steel finish. The same handle to all doors throughout.

Electricity Light Plug

Switch

Heating

Radiator

Radiator

Waterpipes

Technical Survey

Condition of the technology

The technology in the building is very outdated and was only renovated and extended in a makeshift manner until 2007.

The electrical cables are openly attached to the walls. On average, there is one socket and one light switch in a classroom.

There is no heating in every room. There are two types of radiators, so it can be assumed that there must have been a renovation of the radiators. However, this refurbishment is not related to the different construction phases.

The water pipes run partly outside and inside the walls. There is not a washbasin in every room. The children’s toilets have been makeshift (both the quality of the sanitary facilities and the total number of toilets for the children).

5. Radiator

Old radiator Room 1.1

9. Thermostat

Thermostat, for controlling the room temperature Room 1.4

6. Radiator

New radiator Room 1.1

Sockets and cables, Retrofitted sockets and wiring Room 2.8

7. Lights

Luminaires, electric with plastic housing Room 1.2

Flush box with stand-up toilet in the student toilet

8. Switch

Light switch

Washbasin in the student toilet

Key

1 East elevation

Broken and damaged panes

Erosion of plaster and paint

Foundation added at later date

2 North elevation

Ivy and climbing plants causing damage to plaster and external walls.

North Elevation

Corrosion to lower level due to proxmity to soil

3 West elevation

Missing window panels and further enviornmental damage

Extensive damage to plasterwork Foundation added at later date

3 South elevation

Discolouration of materials (accelerated by age 2000-2023)

Damage caused by water (historic and recent 1970-2023)

Corrosion of plaster/ concrete (accerlated by age 1990-2023)

Environmental damage (over time 1970-2023)

Extensive damage to plasterwork

Aging / Wear and Tear (through usage 1970-2007)

Man-made damage (last 16 years since vacancy)

General discoluration and fading of paint work

Sun fade and discolouration of polycarbonate

Graffiti damage

Water damage

Water damage or discolouration caused by rainwater appears visibly below the windows. Slight algae and fungal growth.

Discolouration in the plaster

Plaster discolouration due to ageing plaster is evenly distributed over the façade.

Light plaster damage

Slight crumbling of the plaster especially in the area of the atika and the newly inserted window.

Heavy plaster damage

Severe plaster crumbling in the area of the parapet, probably due to water penetration.

Rust

Rust in places on the parapet and on the poorly ventilated corners of the windows.

Cracks

Cracks in the building structure can be found in the two columns (from the right) and on the newly inserted windows.

Graffiti

Below the building there are some rioters. Among other things, there is large graffiti near the street, a sign of the abandonment of the place.