Volteco

From World War II bunker to prestigious exhibition hall

The project in brief

Construction typology
Hospitality
Year
2021
Place
Florence – Tuscany – Italy
Designer
Archea Associati
Products used
See all

Waterproofing intervention on a majestic World War II Bunker, in Florence.

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The goal was ambitious: to transform this historically rich and one-of-a-kind location into a stunning gallery to house the studio’s works and a permanent exhibition, also designed by Archea Associati.

The bunker consists of a tunnel-shaped structure approximately 40 ml long and 9 ml wide, built partly with solid bricks and partly with steel beams 14 cm thick, which support the structure in the most deeply buried section.

The context

The initial site inspection immediately revealed the issues that required Volteco’s waterproofing expertise: persistent water infiltrations, masonry cracks, a connecting staircase to the garden above affected by continuous water ingress, and actual water flow running along a channel inside the old base slab.

The most significant challenge was the need to drain the constant presence of water filtering behind the steel beams, in order to proceed with the waterproofing works. The solution adopted was the installation of a drainage fabric anchored to the structure, which channelled water towards the lowest point and directed it outside. This approach facilitated the intervention by allowing work to be carried out in a drier environment with reduced water presence.

Techniques and products

The waterproofing intervention was then carried out in stages, starting with structural reinforcement using Fibromix 40 mortar with embedded mesh to a thickness of 8 cm, anchored over the brickwork, which was in turn covered with drainage fabric. The hydro-expansive mastic Akti-Vo 201 was then applied over the steel longitudinal beams to eliminate all infiltrations at every pour joint. Once cured, the Bi Mortar Plaster Seal plaster (4–5 cm thick) was applied with embedded and anchored mesh over the previous layer, up to the level of the steel beams.

The intervention was completed using the Bi Flex System (consisting of a thermopolymer tape bonded with epoxy adhesive and resistant to negative hydraulic pressure) on every corner and pour joint, followed by the application of the elastic Plastivo membrane.

The tunnel floor, referred to as the closing plug, was constructed with a pour of Flowmix 70 mortar and a bentonite strip WT 102, to a thickness of approximately 10 cm; the pour joints between the plug and the rest of the structure were sealed with Bi Flex System. Upon completion of the works, an excavation was carried out at the bunker entrance to create a dedicated room for the air recirculation machinery. This space was fully waterproofed using a combination of Volteco technologies: Amphibia 3000 GRIP hydro-reactive membrane applied horizontally and vertically, bentonite strip WT 102, Plastivo, and Bi Flex System for the ground-level floor slab.

The objective of all interventions is clear: to ensure complete continuity of waterproofing in a context characterised by the constant presence of pressurised water and a permanently active drainage system. The result is truly remarkable: rectangular tiles covering the entire tunnel and a microcement floor that fits seamlessly into a setting featuring wall-mounted screens and seating for visitors — making this location truly unique and evocative, and perfectly suited to host such an exclusive and prestigious exhibition space.

 

See the full reference.

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Products associated with the value project

BI MORTAR PLASTER SEAL

Fibre-reinforced waterproofing mortar for thick layer applications.

PLASTIVO 250

Two-component flexible waterproofing compound.

FIBROMIX 40

Fibre-reinforced, cement-based, ready-mixed compound with medium modulus of elasticity.

AKTI-VO 201

Synthetic rubber hydro-expansive mastic.

TAP 3

Quick-setting waterproof hydraulic mortar.

BI MORTAR LEVELLING SEAL

Shrinkage-compensated pourable grout

WT 102

Hydro-expansive bentonite curb.

SANOFER

Protective polymer and cement-based coating for reinforcement bars.

AMPHIBIA 3000 GRIP

AMPHIBIA 3000 GRIP is an EPDM waterproof membrane, reactive to contact with water, self-repairing, self-sealing and self-fastening to the concrete.

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