The Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop is located in Turin near the historic center.
Renzo Piano's Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper is the winner of the ArchDaily Building Of the Year 2016 award for the office category. The important recognition was awarded following a vote among the more than 3 projects presented by ArchDaily, the most visited Architecture website in the world, which was attended by 55.000 users.
Renzo Piano's Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper develops vertically on 44 levels, 38 of which above ground, reaching a height of almost 166 meters, two less than the Mole Antonelliana.
The structural elements consist of a core, which contains the compartments for the seventeen elevators and stairs, and a load-bearing skeleton, arranged according to a 7000 mXNUMX plan, which supports the external aluminum and glass envelope.
At the top of the skyscraper is the second public space, a bioclimatic greenhouse of 15.000 m3 divided over 35 levels: the roof garden with panoramic restaurant (36th floor), an exhibition hall (37th floor) and a café with gallery ( XNUMXth floor).
Going along the gallery, which develops along the perimeter on three floors, it is possible to enjoy panoramic views over the whole city and observe the shrubs and plantations present, including eucalyptus, acacias, lavender, which contribute to the maintenance of the temperate climate at the interior of the environment.
The operation of the technological structure is controlled by probes connected to the BMS (Building Management System), an advanced management system that allows the behavior of the building to be modulated in relation to climatic variations.
The surfaces to the east and west are covered with a transparent “double skin” casing.
In winter, the sun's rays pass through the first layer of glass and aluminum and heat the air in the cavity by the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate mitigation.
In summer, the mechanical adjustment of the openings and sunshade systems allows the release of the heat accumulated during the day, preventing the occurrence of overheating phenomena. During the evening, the fresh air is channeled into the cavity of the double-layer concrete floors and released by radiant panels during the day, cooling the work spaces.
The surface of the south-facing façade is entirely covered with 1600 square meters of photovoltaic cells for the production of electricity. On the same side of the Intesa Sanpaolo Office Building, the volume for the external staircase is also a winter garden that extends over the entire height of the building.
Domestic hot water is produced by a system of solar collectors.
On the roof, the bioclimatic greenhouse acts as a “green roof”. In summer it prevents the accumulation of heat that would be released inside the building, in winter it reduces the dispersion of thermal energy.
Air conditioning is entrusted to high-performance geothermal technology.
The system uses groundwater and acts as a heat pump in winter and as a refrigeration unit in summer.
The Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper has a height of 167,25 meters, such as to place it in third place on the Turin skyline. Higher are only the skyscraper in the region designed by Studio Fuksas (205 meters), and the historic mole Antonelliana (167,5 m).
Source: architecturasostenibile.it
