{"id":6737,"date":"2020-11-25T18:19:43","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T17:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sbpiu.it\/portfolio\/architectural-structural-and-systems-interventions-in-the-former-convent-of-the-sperandie-headquarters-of-the-state-police-and-the-questura-of-siena\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T15:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:58:37","slug":"architectural-structural-and-systems-interventions-in-the-former-convent-of-the-sperandie-headquarters-of-the-state-police-and-the-questura-of-siena","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/www.sbpiu.it\/en\/portfolio\/architectural-structural-and-systems-interventions-in-the-former-convent-of-the-sperandie-headquarters-of-the-state-police-and-the-questura-of-siena\/","title":{"rendered":"Architectural, structural, and systems interventions in the Former Convent of the Sperandie, headquarters of the State Police and the Questura of Siena."},"content":{"rendered":"

The intervention involved a large historic complex, formerly a monastery, which today houses the premises of the State Police and the Questura of Siena. From a planimetric perspective, the building features a double “C” configuration enclosing two open courts: one used as an uncultivated garden, now<\/span> the subject of an intervention agreed upon with the Soprintendenza, and one used as a parking lot for operators. Next to this “C” is an “L” shaped element that encloses the police service vehicle park and its garage, also used as a warehouse and archive. The complex is thus composed of a long main body facing Via delle Sperandie and three perpendicular secondary bodies that form the two parking and garden courts. <\/p>\n

The intervention was aimed at the functional adaptation of the complex: the requested works involved the functional redistribution of certain activities to improve archive space, carry out fire safety upgrades, and renovate several offices. In particular, the immigration office underwent a complete revision aimed at improving its a<\/span> accessibility and functionality, given the high number of foreign users and the difficulties faced by staff in managing attendance (also due to the ongoing health emergency). Another significant theme was the fire safety adaptation of the building, for which impactful solutions were adopted, such as placing a staircase on the wall of the south courtyard; this solution was the result of intense design activity due to interferences with underground utilities in the foundation area of the new staircase\u2014requiring extensive investigations with the aid of ground-penetrating radar\u2014but also and above all to identify a landscape mitigation solution approved by the Soprintendenza. <\/p>\n

Among the actions and solutions developed by the project, the restoration of the internal elevations\u2014a fine example of an 18th-century two-story portico\u2014holds a prominent place. Following the analysis of degradation and the acquisition of samples, the project involves the use of lime plasters and subsequent painting using the same color as the original plastered surface; the products used comply with the CAM Decree. The project also included the demolition of the existing portico flooring and the laying of new filaretto stone paving, beneath which a channel for plumbing systems with inspection points was installed. In the north courtyard, there is a historic garden that has existed for centuries and was used by the nuns when the complex was still a convent. Having fallen into disuse, it was restored by reinstating the paving and seating and restoring the central fountain according to a formal garden layout. <\/p>\n

Safety and Security Improvements<\/strong><\/p>\n

The existing building, used as the headquarters of the State Police, is an activity subject to Fire Department control under Presidential Decree 151 of August 1, 2011. The fire safety adaptation project included the enhancement of escape routes, particularly from the first floor; therefore, a metal fire escape was planned, attached to the wall. As this was an added element on a protected facade, a dialogue was established with the Soprintendenza, which led to the screening of the staircase with a terracotta slat partition. <\/p>\n

Accessibility Design <\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the main themes addressed in the project was accessibility, required by its use as public offices. Various works were carried out to overcome architectural barriers, including the construction of a low-slope ramp accessible to wheelchair users to ensure access to the immigration office. Additionally, three accessible restrooms were created by converting existing rooms: one on the ground floor and two on the first floor. Provision was made for the installation of stairlifts for disabled access to the first floor. <\/p>\n

Structural Consolidation Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

The structural consolidation project primarily addressed the critical issues highlighted by cracks in the facade on Via delle Sperandie, caused by the thrusting action of the cross vaults behind it. The intervention therefore provided for the reinforcement of the perimeter wall against local collapse mechanisms through the installation of two rows of metal tie-rods, placed on the underside of the floor slabs of the two above-ground floors. The arrangement of the tie-rods and the design of the anchor plates were agreed upon with the Soprintendenza of Siena. <\/p>\n

Fire Safety Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

The numerous archives in the offices were concentrated into a single room, specifically designed with the latest detection and suppression technologies (aerosol generated from a solid mixture contained in steel dispensers equipped with discharge grids). Considering the requirements of fire prevention regulations, the following solutions were provided: a 15 cubic meter capacity tank and a related pump group consisting of a main electric pump, a motor pump, and a pilot pump with accessories in compliance with the UNI 10779 standard; UNI 25 hose reels; 2 motor pump connections and 1 UNI 70 hydrant to be connected to the water main; and an automatic suppression system using a potassium carbonate-based aerosol generated from a solid “compound” mixture as the extinguishing agent. <\/p>\n

Systems Engineering <\/strong><\/p>\n

The project included extraordinary maintenance work for the electrical, water, and heating systems. This was necessary both due to the changes in office distribution and the renovation\/creation of bathrooms, as well as the obsolescence of the systems themselves. <\/p>\n

Safety Coordination<\/strong><\/p>\n

In drafting the Safety and Coordination Plan, in addition to the standard assessment and management of risks arising from potential work interferences planned for the contract, the specific COVID-19 epidemiological emergency was taken into account. Consequently, two additional documents were drafted: the first is a Regulatory Protocol to be followed for the containment and management of the virus, and the second is a Specific Risk Assessment. Specific measures were indicated for work organization, worker entry procedures to the site, body temperature monitoring, access for material supply vehicles, daily cleaning and periodic sanitization, management of symptomatic individuals, cases of COVID-19 positive individuals, health surveillance, and mandatory information and training. <\/p>\n

Soprintendenza<\/strong><\/p>\n

All interventions\u2014distributional, structural, and particularly the finishes\u2014were subject to consultation and final approval by the Soprintendenza. An in-depth dialogue was established regarding the aforementioned fire escape, an external element added to a protected facade, which led to the screening of the staircase with a terracotta slat partition. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The intervention involved a large historic complex, formerly a monastery, which today houses the premises of the State Police and the Questura of Siena. From a planimetric perspective, the building features a double “C” configuration enclosing two open courts: one used as an uncultivated garden, now the subject of an intervention agreed upon with the<\/p>\n

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