Transformation of the municipal building in Pregassona

Location: Pregassona, Via Sala 13

Design: 2011-2012

Construction: 2013-2015

Architecture Studio: Architetti Tibiletti Associati, Lugano

Architects: Stefano Tibiletti, Catherine Glaeser-Tibiletti
Collaborators: Davide Gatti, Matteo Marzi

Engineering Studio: Cesare Lucini Sagl, Paradiso

The project was developed to address the need for expanded school spaces of Probello and the creation of district offices. It presents a dual expression linked to its functions: a compact multi-level structure for the school and a transparent volume for the community.

The extension of the pre-existing building (1962-1966), originally designed by architect Giuseppe Antonini and later revised and executed by his nephew, architect Alberto Tibiletti, reimagined the access points and their relationship with the road axis, giving it urban importance by aligning the volume with the constructed boundary.

The renovation includes: a library, a creative activities room, classrooms for primary school, a support classroom, a teachers’ room, a multipurpose room, a citizen service area, office spaces, and an archive. Different user needs lead to independent access points: a foyer accessible from two distinct levels can be closed depending on requirements. The entrance to the offices is glazed and leads to the reception and waiting area, while a masonry block accommodates the service area.

The synthesis of architectural design and structural clarity is evident. The load-bearing structure is a frame with reinforced concrete pillars set back from the facades, leaving the slab and cantilevered beams over a transparent surface. The open-plan layout, construction technique, and modular structure allow for transformation without compromising the essence of the existing building.

The transformation was conceived in accordance with Minergie standards.