The sustainable and innovative extension to the Don Milani Institute in Montichiari, in the province of Brescia, comprises a three-storey building housing 20 classrooms and 10 laboratories, as well as a 350 m² building and service areas, with a total useful surface area of 3,600 m².
Pilkington Optitherm™, a low-emissivity product, was chosen for the glazing. Produced using the magnetron process, this coating combines very high light transmission with high-performance thermal insulation, creating a brighter, more comfortable environment. The thermally broken aluminium profiles incorporate insulating glazing consisting of two laminated glass panes, one of which is Pilkington Optitherm™ with the coated side positioned inside the glazing in face 3. This combination results in reduced overall thermal transmittance while eliminating the need for gas in the glazing cavity.
Laminated glass with 1B1 performance (UNI EN 12600) was necessary to meet the safety requirements of UNI 7697 'Safety criteria in glazing applications'. This type of product improves the acoustic insulation level of the building envelope.
The final project is an eco-friendly school building that can produce energy thanks to photovoltaic and geothermal systems, as well as a mini hydroelectric power plant.