The Exhibits. The exhibit design developed parallel to the definition of the scientific-didactic program within a shared process that saw figures with different skills and competences confront and contribute to achieving a common goal. The basic idea is an “invisible exhibit that did not overshadow the content. Hence the idea of Zero Gravity, i.e., the suspension by thin steel cables of all objects: tables, shelves, panels, monitors, photos, artifacts; everything is suspended in space and time. The space thus “designed,” like in a musical score, will be populated, and the visitor will enter a fantastic world where, as a spectator and simultaneously an actor, they will be able to perceive and understand the connections and synergies between nature and science.

Moreover, the installation of photovoltaic panels with size and pitch consistent with the roof structure is planned, equipped with appropriate supports for a correct inclination towards the South. The glazed roofs characterize the lobby and the tropical greenhouse volumes. The Tropical Greenhouse. The tropical greenhouse represents an architectural element with complex functioning dynamics, thus requiring special technological and plant-related attentions. This element is at the same time an integral part of the exhibition path and a true “greenhouse” tasked with growing and preserving a piece of the rainforest. For this reason, while providing to ensure at any time of the year the conditions for public visits, the presence of typical specimens of tropical flora with specific temperature and humidity requirements will not allow this environment to have the same climatic conditions as a normal exhibition space. The greenhouse volume is the part of the Museum closest to Palazzo delle Albere. It was preferred to rely on transparency and lightness to dialogue more closely with the delicate context. The same intent to establish a respectful confrontation with this important historical pre-existence suggested the choice to start the internal volume of the greenhouse from level -1, allowing an internal free height of about 12 meters while maintaining the volume height above ground at about 8 meters. The geometry finds the genesis of its alignments in the context of the entire neighborhood design and is characterized by two converging slopes in plan, one facing Northeast and one facing Northwest. A flat triangular roof closes the volume horizontally, a large trapezoidal glass facade closes the South front, and a smaller triangular one closes the North front. In the structures, we find the complementary use of wooden beams with steel elements, exploiting each other’s static characteristics to the best. The transparent envelope of the greenhouse is equipped with appropriate openings both at the bottom and at the top to allow necessary natural ventilation, as well as shading systems for the surfaces most exposed to summer irradiation.

Ground Treatment. The external spaces adjacent to the Museum are designed in harmony with the public spaces of the entire intervention on the ex-Michelin area, which in turn interprets the details and materials present in the historic center of Trento. The sidewalks, as well as the curbs and edges of the water mirror, are in verdello stone with a bush-hammered finish. This paving continues inside the lobby, emphasizing the idea of extending the external public space inside the Museum. The exhibition spaces and, in general, those accessible to the public have a solid bamboo strip flooring, particularly hard and wear-resistant. The laboratories have a resin finish, while for the administrative and managerial offices, the installation of a raised floor is planned.

Energy Strategies and Eco-Compatibility. Among the key principles of the entire intervention, from the beginning, is a particular focus on sustainability and energy savings. These themes and strategies, organically addressed within the new neighborhood design, find application and receive further and natural stimulus in the project implementation of the new Science Museum.

The results in terms of measurable energy efficiency, which will lead to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, are achieved through a series of design choices applied at various scales of the intervention. From general system and infrastructure strategies to the careful definition of technological details. From the optimization of general heat and cold production and distribution through a single trigeneration plant for the entire neighborhood to the careful control of the building’s thermal envelope to reduce dispersions.

To all this is added the installation of systems for exploiting renewable energy sources. In particular, the opaque roofs of the Museum are covered by a total of about 340 square meters of photovoltaic panels, which, with appropriate supports, are inclined towards the South by an angle of 23° with respect to the slope plane. This action, amplified by a similar installation on all the roofs of the entire project on the ex-Michelin area, not only allows the production of clean energy but also holds a strong symbolic value due to the unity of the intervention and its task of representing the strong innovative value of those high environmental content design choices not directly visible.

Exhibit Space

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Ph: Pelanda, Paolo © RPBW – Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Traverso, D. Trovato, C. Zaccaria, C. van der Hoven, F. Bellabona, L. Soprani, C. Araya, O. Gonzales Martinez, Y. Kabasawa, S. Picariello, S. Rota, H. Tanabe; S. D’Atri, M. Ottonello (CAD operators); F. Cappellini, D. Lange, A. Malgeri, A. Marazzi, S. Rossi, F. Terranova (models).

Consultants: Structural Engineering: Favero & Milan, SCE Project.

MEP: Manens-Tifs, Energy: Associazione PAEA, Acoustics: Müller BBM.

Client: Castello SGR S.p.A.,with ITAS Assicurazioni SpA, Museo delle Scienze di Trento, and Università degli Studi di Trento.

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Design Team: S. Scarabicchi and D. Vespier (partners and associates in charge), E. Donadel, S. Russo, A. Bonenberg, P. Carrera, T. Degryse, V. Grassi, F. Kaufmann, G. Longoni, M. Menardo, M. Orlandi, P. Pelanda, D. Piano, S. Polotti, G. Semprini, G.

Subcontractors: PAC S.p.A., Bolzano; Sandrini Costruzioni S.p.A., Trento; C.S.F. Consorzio Stabile Finedil Trento; Gadotti F.lli S.r.l., Trento.

Museographic Consultants: Natural History Museum, London (G. Rankmore).

Exhibits and Furnishings: Main Contractor: Goppion S.p.A., Milan, Subcontractors: Acuson S.r.l., Turin; Asteria Multimedia S.r.l., Trento. Furnishings: Cappelletti S.r.l., Trento; Laboratori Roma.

Special Systems for Greenhouse and Aquarium Design, Client:

Patrimonio del Trentino S.p.A.

Project & Construction Management: Iure S.p.A. (Project Manager: W. Boller).

Mechanical, Electrical, and Special Systems: Energytech S.r.l., Bolzano.

Structural Engineering: SCE Projects S.r.l., Milan.

Landscape Consultancy: Hugo Bugg Landscapes, London.

Construction: Mechanical Systems: Gelmini Cav. Nello S.p.A., Verona; Electrical Systems: Elettromeccanica Galli Italo S.p.A., Como; Civil Works: S.I.L.E. COSTRUZIONI S.r.l., Bergabo.

Scenic Structures: Panel System S.r.l., Brescia.

Aquarium Construction: Panaque S.r.l., Viterbo.

Cost: Dia Servizi, Tekne.

Hydrogeotechnical Studies: M. Vuillermin.

Roads and Infrastructure: A.I.A. Engineering.

Sewerage Networks: Ingegneri Consulenti Associati.

Fire Prevention: GAE Engineering.

Landscape: Atelier Corajoud-Salliot-Taborda, E. Skabar.

Project Coordination: Twice S.r.l. (Project Managers: W. Boller, R. Ferrari).

Contractors: General Contractor: A.T.I. Colombo Costruzioni S.p.A., Lecco.

Client: Castello Sgr S.p.A. (with ITAS Assicurazioni SpA, Museo delle Scienze di Trento and Università degli studi di Trento)

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, design team: S.Scarabicchi and D.Vespier (partners and associates in charge), E.Donadel, S.Russo, A.Bonenberg, P.Carrera, T.Degryse, V.Grassi, F.Kaufmann, G.Longoni, M.Menardo, M.Orlandi, P.Pelanda, D.Piano, S.Polotti, G.Semprini, G.Traverso, D.Trovato, C.Zaccaria, C.van der Hoven and  F.Bellabona, L.Soprani, C.Araya, O.Gonzales Martinez, Y.Kabasawa, S.Picariello, S.Rota, H.Tanabe; S.D’Atri, M.Ottonello (CAD operators); F.Cappellini, D.Lange, A.Malgeri, A.Marazzi, S.Rossi, F.Terranova (models)

Consultants : Favero & Milan, SCE Project (structure); Manens-Tifs (MEP); Associazione PAEA (energy); Müller BBM (acoustics); Dia Servizi (cost consultant); M.Vuillermin (hydrogeotechnical studies); A.I.A. Engineering (roads and associated infrastructure); Ingegneri Consulenti Associati (sewerage networks); GAE Engineering (fire prevention); Atelier Corajoud-Salliot-Taborda, E.Skabar (landscape); Tekne (cost and specification consultant); Twice/Iure (project co-ordination)

Exhibition design client: Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, design team: S. Scarabicchi, E. Donadel (partner and associate in charge) with M.Menardo, M.Orlandi, G.Traverso, D.Vespier and P.Carrera, L.Soprani, M.Pineda; I.Corsaro (models)

Consultants: Iure (project co-ordination); Riccardo Giovannelli (structure); Manens Intertecnica (building services); Dia Servizi (cost consultant); GAE Engineering (fire prevention); Müller BBM (acoustics); Origoni & Steiner (graphic design); Piero Castiglioni (lighting design)

“Le Albere” area client: Castello Sgr S.p.A. (with ITAS Assicurazioni SpA, Museo delle Scienze di Trento and Università degli studi di Trento)

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, design team: S.Scarabicchi and D.Vespier (partners and associates in charge), E.Donadel, S.Russo, A.Bonenberg, P.Carrera, T.Degryse, V.Grassi, F.Kaufmann, G.Longoni, M.Menardo, M.Orlandi, P.Pelanda, D.Piano, S.Polotti, G.Semprini, G.Traverso, D.Trovato, C.Zaccaria, C.van der Hoven and  F.Bellabona, L.Soprani, C.Araya, O.Gonzales Martinez, Y.Kabasawa, S.Picariello, S.Rota, H.Tanabe; S.D’Atri, M.Ottonello (CAD operators); F.Cappellini, D.Lange, A.Malgeri, A.Marazzi, S.Rossi, F.Terranova (models)

Consultants : Favero & Milan, SCE Project (structure); Manens-Tifs (MEP); Associazione PAEA (energy); Müller BBM (acoustics); Dia Servizi (cost consultant); M.Vuillermin (hydrogeotechnical studies); A.I.A. Engineering (roads and associated infrastructure); Ingegneri Consulenti Associati (sewerage networks); GAE Engineering (fire prevention); Atelier Corajoud-Salliot-Taborda, E.Skabar (landscape); Tekne (cost and specification consultant); Twice/Iure (project co-ordination)

Muse e Area “Le Albere” and Muse Allestimenti Projects

Muse e Area “Le Albere”

Location: Trento, Italy

Project Duration: 2002-2012

Client: Castello SGR S.p.A. for the Fondo Immobiliare Clesio

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa/Paris

Project Team:

Partners and associates, CAD operators, and model makers listed by name.

Project Coordination:

Twice S.r.l., Trento (Project Managers: W. Boller and R. Ferrari)

Structural Engineering:

Favero & Milan Ingegneria S.p.A., Mirano (VE)
SCE Project S.r.l., Milan

Mechanical and Electrical Systems:

Manens-Tifs S.p.A., Verona
Stain Engineering S.r.l., Trento

Consultants:

Acoustic: Müller-BBM GmbH, Munich
Geological: Comitgeo S.r.l., Trento
Fire Protection: GAE Engineering S.r.l., Turin
Landscape: Atelier Corajoud-Salliot-Taborda, Paris and E. Skibar, Trieste

Project & Construction Management:

IURE S.p.A. (Project Manager: W. Boller)

Site Supervision:

Pasquali e Rausa Engineering S.r.l., Bolzano
Mechanical Systems: Manens-Tifs S.p.A., Verona
Civil Works: M. Sommadossi and M. Gastainer
Safety Coordination: M. Nones

Main Contractors:

General Contractor: A.T.I. Colombo Costruzioni S.p.A., Lecco
Subcontractors: PAC S.p.A., Bolzano; Sandrini Costruzioni S.p.A., Trento; C.S.F. Consorzio Stabile Finedil Trento; Gadotti F.lli S.r.l., Trento

Muse Allestimenti

Location: Trento, Italy

Project Duration: 2010-2013

Client: Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali

Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa/Paris

Design Team:

Partners and associates, model makers listed by name.

Project & Construction Management:

Iure S.p.A., Trento (Project Manager: W. Boller)

Consultants:

Museographic: Natural History Museum, London (G. Rankmore)
Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Manens-Tifs S.p.A., Verona
Structural: Studio di ingegneria R. Giovanelli, Trento
Fire Protection: GAE Engineering S.r.l., Turin
Acoustic: Müller-BBM GmbH, Munich
Lighting: Piero Castiglioni S.r.l., Milan
Graphic: Franco Origoni e Anna Steiner architetti associati, Genoa
Safety: Dia Servizi S.r.l., Trento

Exhibits and Furnishings:

Main Contractor: Goppion S.p.A., Milan
Subcontractors: Acuson S.r.l., Turin; Asteria Multimedia S.r.l., Trento
Furnishings: Cappelletti S.r.l., Trento; Laboratori Roma
Mechanical Systems: Tecnoair S.r.l., Rovereto
Electrical Systems: Giacca S.r.l., Trento
Exhibit Hands-on: Opera Laboratori Fiorentini, Florence

Greenhouse and Aquarium Design

Client: Patrimonio del Trentino S.p.A.

Project & Construction Management: Iure S.p.A., Trento (Project Manager: W. Boller)

Architectural Design:

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa/Paris

Mechanical, Electrical, and Special Systems:

Energytech S.r.l., Bolzano

Structural Engineering:

SCE Projects S.r.l., Milan

Landscape Consultancy:

Hugo Bugg Landscapes, London

Construction:

Mechanical Systems: Gelmini Cav. Nello S.p.A., Verona
Electrical Systems: Elettromeccanica Galli Italo S.p.A., Como
Civil Works: S.I.L.E. COSTRUZIONI S.r.l., Bergamo
Scenic Structures: Panel System S.r.l., Brescia
Aquarium Construction: Panaque S.r.l., Viterbo

Photo Credits

Ph: Cano, Enrico © RPBW – Renzo Piano Building Workshop Architects

Ph: Gadotti, Alessandro © RPBW – Renzo Piano Building Workshop Architects

Ph: Ishida, Shunji © RPBW – Renzo Piano Building Workshop Architects

Ph: Pelanda, Paolo © RPBW – Renzo Piano Building Workshop Architects

© Hufton and Crow Architectural Photography