Digital construction supervision for the new Benedetta Bianchi Porro primary school
Sirmione, Brescia
The project for the new Benedetta Bianchi Porro primary school represents an important investment for the municipality of Sirmione, combining structural innovation and sustainability. The intervention involved the extension of the existing building with the creation of a new complex capable of housing 18 classrooms, laboratories, multipurpose rooms, a canteen, a library and a suspended gymnasium that will become a prominent feature of the structure.
The school was conceived not only as a place of learning, but also as a true civic hub. The outdoor amphitheatre, library and community spaces will host public events, film forums and performances, strengthening the connection between the school and the community. The large facades and glass “telescope” above the main entrance emphasise the continuity between inside and outside, bringing natural light and openness to the surrounding landscape.
Advanced technical solutions have been integrated into the project. A geothermal system, a photovoltaic system and a BMS for centralised control of the system ensure energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. High-performance insulating panels and a construction method based on the principles of the circular economy fulfil the CAM criteria and guarantee quality and sustainability throughout the entire life cycle.
DVArea was awarded the contract for construction supervision as the lead company of the RTP in a public tender. Based on the tender project, DVArea introduced significant improvements to the construction solutions. Instead of using traditional on-site concrete, the facades were already plastered and windowed off-site, so that the ready-to-install elements arrived on site, reducing time, costs and unforeseen problems and increasing the overall quality of the building.
The construction work was fully managed via digital models and a CDE (Common Data Environment), a collaborative platform that centralises data and communications. Despite initial scepticism, this approach had an innovative impact on the construction processes, simplifying work and synergy between stakeholders, speeding up decision-making and ensuring consistency and quality down to the details of the finishes.
Features such as the movable partitions in the classrooms, the Botticino marble floors in the entrance area and the careful use of wood in the classrooms show that attention was paid to flexibility, material quality and contextual integration. The new school in Sirmione is therefore a model of contemporary educational architecture: sustainable, inclusive, innovative and closely linked to community life.
3.000
GFA
[m²]
9
VALUE OF DESIGNED WORKS
[Mln €]
18
CLASSROOMS
468
STUDENTS
“Initially, there was scepticism about the use of the CDE, but over time it proved to be a crucial tool. It simplified the authorisation process, the follow-up of problems and the retrieval of documents for authorisation practise. On the ground, it has really changed the way we work, improving collaboration, decision times and final quality.”
