TECNOLOGIE DI INTERVENTO PER L’INNOVAZIONE NEGLI INSEDIAMENTI PER L’EMERGENZA

Full project name: The planning of integrated systems of temporary constructions for the evolution of the housing environment (Tecnologie di intervento per l’innovazione negli insediamenti per l’emergenza)

Topic: Temporary long-term: light systems for the realisation of reconfigurable inhabitable spaces

Period: 2000 - 2002

Funding Body: Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) - Research projects of national interest (PRIN) 2000

Polimi reference Person: Franco Donato

People: M. Bertoldini, A. Campioli, B. Ferrari, G. Grandi, E. Guastaroba, M. Lavagna, A. Zanelli

The research proposes the definition of the methods of application of light technologies for the realisation of inhabitable reconfigurable spaces. The objective of the research is the definition of housing spaces that are very diversified in terms of typology, dimension and intended use, which answer questions linked to the essential needs of housing in relation to variables in the context of use characteristic of contemporary society.

For the purpose of proposing construction methods that are competitive in terms of economy, availability on the market, speed of production and construction, facility of assembly, reversibility and reconfigurability, the research intends to come directly to grips with the production scenario, yet not limiting itself to taking up the possibilities and restrictions posed by current Italian production, but also placing itself within a perspective of offering proposals to adapt the current Italian production scenario (which in the area of light constructions still appears to be insufficient, even if in expansion) with respect to production situations consolidated abroad.

The research is structured around three operational phases:

1. Spheres of Application of Light Construction Systems:

- Identification of the possible spheres of application of light construction systems, with particular reference to urban redevelopment (decommissioned industrial areas, urban voids, spaces of functional reconversion) and to the ground floor equipment of the open spaces in the residential housing neighbourhoods;

- Definition of the scenario of reference at international level applicable to the strategies and techniques used in the most recent redevelopment interventions, with particular reference to light type construction technologies to be integrated with existing constructions.

2. Characterising Requisites in Relation to the Typology of Intervention:

- Definition of a framework of the verifiable orientations in relation to interventions of redevelopment, re-functionalisation and equipping of the deteriorating spaces;

- Identification of the projects and realisations relating to temporariness for the purposes of an adaptation of the framework of requirements-performance;

- Identification of a specific sphere of application for the direct verification of the regulatory, technical, production, organisational and economic restrictions.

3. The Production Scenario of Light Structures

- To define the production scenario in relation to the construction of light structures (with particular attention to steel frame constructions, based on cold-formed sections, extensively used in the UK) and to appraise the terms of transferability, adjustments and possible integrations with other technologies;

- To define the production sphere of reference in Italy for the construction of light and temporary structures, identifying particularly the production of semi-finished elements which it is possible to use for the creation of light construction systems;

- Identification of the producers who can be involved in the production of light construction systems, also for the purpose of an extension of performance characteristics.

- Definition of the characteristics of light construction systems, in relation to the use of systems, components or semi-finished elements in production and with a view to different modes of use, both to integrate with and to complement the existing structures.

4. Aspects of Construction and Management

- To define the level of prefabrication that it is appropriate to implement with respect to construction on site, in relation to the current demands for economy, speed of construction, lack of specialist manpower, precision in execution. The question of the precision of execution guaranteed by prefabrication is becoming a requirement held in great consideration in construction, since on one hand it guarantees the quality of the execution and construction and on the other it enables construction times to be reduced, avoiding expensive stoppages on site;

- Evaluation of the influence of the economic aspects in the use of light type constructions, in relation both to production and construction times (therefore to workshop and site times) and to management and use times (therefore to the life cycle of the construction system in operation);

- Identification of planning and production strategies in relation to the themes of housing quality and environmental compatibility. In particular, attention will be concentrated on the use of systems for evaluating environmental impact for the purpose of optimising the life cycle of the system and components.