Margarita (CN)
Type Veterinary Clinic
Client Mattalia veterinary doctors
Project 1998-1999 Studio Roatta Architetti Associati
Building 2000-2002
Building works Marchisio Renato, Peveragno (CN)
Surface 300 mq.

The veterinary clinic stands on a pre-existing farming warehouse, a 7 meters tall reinforced concrete block . The rural context does not inspire us to reproduce the forms of traditional architecture, but to embrace its criteria of rational sustainability and building simplicity.
Developing on just one floor, without basement, the floor plan organizes the various functions of the building, laying out reception and offices in sequence, filtering through the surgeries the access to the central area, dedicated to treatments and distribution. From here, one accesses the other functions: operating rooms, test labs, warehouse and rooms for longer stays.
The layout of the pre-existing building is kept in the long wing which is equipped with a line of windows at the roof's edge; the lower body is frankly south-facing. On this façade we find the great windows needed for passive solar heating. The bearing walls are aligned along several parallel lines: mass walls oriented north-south that bear the lamellar wood covering.
The building receives normal insulation, but its constructive simplicity, its control of thermal bridges and its optimal solar performance allow perfect comfort and limited winter consumptions. The need for summer air-conditioning is confined to the operating room.