The building is located in a new urban area, created on the site of the Michelin factory. Previously, the industrial zone separated the city center from the banks of the Adige River, but now residential and office buildings and various infrastructure facilities are being built in its place. All of them are designed by the workshop of Renzo Piano.
The new natural science museum will become the main attraction of the area. The "peaks" of its roofs are designed to remind of the mountain peaks surrounding the city, and the pond surrounding the building adds spectacularity.
The main space of the museum is a large atrium, there is also a greenhouse with tropical plants, exhibition halls, an educational center for young children, a conference room, laboratories (including educational ones), a library and a cafe. Provided for administrative and utility rooms, storeroom, book depository. The total area of the building is about 12 thousand m2.
Exhibitions about natural phenomena and environmental issues will be complemented by the building itself, which claims to the "silver" LEED certification. Among the "green" elements of the project are solar collectors and batteries on the roof, a highly efficient power plant that also provides cooling and heating of the building, a geothermal heating system, and extensive use of natural ventilation and lighting.
Recycled and local materials were used in the construction - along with easily reproducible (for example, the flooring is made of bamboo). The greenhouse, aquariums and the surrounding water reservoir will be flooded with rainwater, which will reduce the museum's tap water consumption by 50%. The facades of high quality insulation are equipped with shading devices. Parking for bicycles is provided, and the number of parking spaces, on the contrary, has been reduced to a minimum.
The official opening of the museum is scheduled for summer 2013.
N. F.
