Centro di Formazione Professionale SSIC / Durisch + Nolli

The “Centro di Formazione Professionale” by Swiss architects Durisch+Nolli is a single volume, composed of a serial repetition of simple elements. The project is characterised by the use of material and manufacturing that matches with the subjects taught in the center.

Centro di Formazione Professionale by Durisch+Nolli technical information

Architects: Durisch + Nolli
Pricipal Architects: Pia Durisch, Aldo Nolli, Thomas Schlichting, Dario Locher e Birgit Schwarz
Engineers: Jürg Buchli, Haldestein,Tecnoprogetti SA, Camorino, Erisel SA, Bellinzona
Location: Gordola, Switzerland
Client: Società Svizzera Impresari Costruttori SSIC
Program: Educational, Training center
Project Year: 2010
Images: © David Willem, © Courtesy of Durisch+Nolli architects
Material: Structure Reinforced Concrete + Steel

Centro di Formazione Professionale in Gordola files

Masterplan
The new volumes fulfil the existing system and work as a grading element for it.
The main unit defines the professional training area and marks the complex’s limit towards the countryside, while the rest of the buildings complete and work in synergy with the context.
This project gives life to a new urban organism: The SSIC Campus.
The inner circulation has been thought of in a precise and functional way.
The aim of the main volume is to make careful use of the plot in order to save green land, used for outdoor training activities.
The raised main volume creates parking and storage spaces, limiting the environmental impact.

Project
The project fits the given program in one, single building set at the edge of the plot of land.
The building is a single volume, composed of a serial repetition of simple elements.
The traditional typology is here characterized by the raising of the complex on a platform and the space below answers the necessity of parking spaces and different storage.
The cover space is marked by the way to the parking entrance and, along the West side, by a second entrance for loading trucks and its flexibility for use is outstanding; it offers more outdoor cover spaces than originally requested, that could be used for many activities.
The access to the platform is simple, three ramps are located next to the laboratory entrances that lead to the upper level. On the North side a freight lift for goods and disabled people can be found.
The volume containing the workrooms and teaching rooms is designed to be simple, flexible, and functional. Somewhat like an industry building where students and teachers can experience a professional environment.
The big north-facing sheds guarantee the perfect light for any training activity and the closed working spaces help capture the attention.

Structure
The raised platform protects the building complex and installations from floods.
The network of pillars underneath the platform, each having their own singular foundation resting on a layer of gravel, is positioned optimally from the static point of view, allowing for reasonable functionality.
The plate has been thought of as a concrete slab (Cobiax system) 40 cm thick that allows different activities and eventually a renovation.
In the areas including two floors, the first floor is designed as a solid concrete construction..
The reticular metal structure shaped as a Shed covers the whole width and develops along the length of the building, around 140 meters. The regular use of the same Shed element simplifies the construction and allows for the control of costs.

Material
The project is characterized by the use of material and manufacturing that matches with the subjects taught in the center.
The raised platform is simple and rational in concrete.
On top of this rough structure lays a light metal structure, in order to contain the weight on the platform.
The outer coating skin is of a light steel inox. The internal coating of the walls and roof are realized using a simple metal box (Montanawall), where installation for acoustic insulation will be installed on the ceiling surface.