Premuda Tower A

Energy upgrade of a residential and office tower

The energy refurbishment of Premuda Tower A was developed under Italy’s Superbonus 110% scheme. At 15 storeys above ground, the tower is one of the tallest residential and office buildings in the province of Reggio Emilia and contains 56 units, four of which are used for commercial activities.

The project included a new external thermal insulation system, roof insulation, restoration of the uninsulated facade areas and exposed concrete, replacement of windows and entrance doors, installation of solar shading and adaptation of one lift to improve accessibility.

Surveys, safety and site management

The complex geometry of the building required a point-cloud survey using drones and laser scanners, followed by a detailed study of the new insulation systems, adapted to the different areas of the tower. The presence of adjacent buildings and underground levels also required careful planning and management of the construction site.

Fire safety was a key aspect of the project, with the use of fire-resistant materials and solutions compliant with the regulations for high-rise buildings. The building envelope was constructed almost entirely using non-combustible rock wool classified as Euroclass A1 for reaction to fire.

New architectural identity and energy performance

The refurbishment made it possible to harmonise finishes that were originally very different from one another, replacing the previous grey colour scheme with a lighter and more varied composition. The selected colours reduce the visual impact of the tower and make the arrangement of its volumes easier to read.

The project improved the building’s energy performance by two classes, from F to D. This was a significant result considering that the building systems could not be upgraded and that the existing external insulation had to be replaced.