Architecture & Sustainable Engineering Services
Our main products and services include architectural design, engineering consulting, project management and sustainable design assessments. We also specialize in the use of natural materials and historic construction methods to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly and long-lasting.
Archisana: Architecture & Engineering Services
Our studio provides services to the communities of Montefiascone, Viterbo, Bolsena as well as the surrounding areas.
Architectural Design
We carry out the design of new buildings, whether cottages, residential buildings, rural buildings or buildings of greater complexity. As with the work on historic buildings, we prefer the use of traditional materials and techniques. We are able to carry out the renovation and design of gardens and parks, which form the surroundings of buildings and dwellings.
Structural Design
We perform structural sizing and verification of both individual building components and the structure as a whole, according to current regulations. Living in an earthquake-prone area, it is also essential to make sure that one's structure is able to withstand not only permanent and variable loads but also those associated with earthquakes. We carry out seismic improvement and adaptation projects.
Interventions on Existing Structures
Restoration, conservative remodelling and renovation of existing buildings is our specialty that allows us to breathe life back into the area. Our territory is particularly rich in ancient structures located within the small towns and in the countryside. For interventions we prefer traditional materials, using lime, terracotta, stone, wood and cork. We collaborate with artisans and companies that work according to tradition (Falegnameria Ferruzzi, La Banca della Calce and other local artisans).
Pavement & Paving Stones
We carry out the design of traditional outdoor paving and pavements, using local raw materials and traditional techniques. Pavements, old paving stones and pavements are part of the atmosphere of our historic centers and therefore should be made with the historic materials and techniques, ensuring beauty and durability.
Construction Management
Archisana provides construction management services on behalf of the client, whether a private individual or a public administration. We are committed to maintaining maximum order and cooperation between the various parties on the construction site, seeking to resolve unforeseen issues as best as possible, in the shortest time and with the least expense.
Radon Remediation
Archisana carries out surveying and drafting of projects aimed at the remediation of the indoor concentration of Radon gas according to current regulations. Montefiascone is particularly rich in Radon and contcentrations above certain levels can be harmful to health. We are qualified to carry out remediation projects in public, residential or workplaces, adopting the least invasive and most minimal-economic approach possible, bringing the average annual concentration back to the values established by law.
Sustainable Building Practices & Bioarchitecture
Solutions Using Traditional Materials
At Archisana, we have rediscovered the values and qualities of traditional materials. Well-made things are timeless, deriving from the experimentation and culture of living and building that have a history of millennia in our country. Our masonry, constructed with brick or stone, lime-hemp insulation, and lime plaster, boasts exceptional resilience and comfort, unmatched by synthetic materials. The lime plaster serves as the primary structural element, while the brick or stone wall provides thermal mass. In regions with extreme temperature variations, such as those with high humidity or cold climates, the use of proven materials like cork, lime, hemp, and earthenware is essential to ensure optimal performance. In contrast, "modern" and "contemporary" construction, with its extensive use of iron, concrete, and glass, has a limited lifespan of a few decades, necessitating frequent maintenance and expenditures. In contrast, a structure constructed in accordance with traditional methods, incorporating natural elements, is designed to withstand the test of time. We employ traditional finishing techniques, utilizing the soft and beautiful colors of lime paints and natural pigments.
Arch. Eng. Cesare Scarfo' at a construction site on Giglio Island (GR). Selected Material: Sardinian Granite
The Need for Sustainable Housing Solutions
With increasing environmental concerns and the growing need for sustainable housing solutions, many clients struggle to find architectural services that balance structural and design needs with ecological responsibility. Traditional construction methods are often overlooked, leading to unsustainable practices in the industry. The topic of "green building" is much debated, and upon careful analysis, the construction that is sold as such often has nothing to do with natural materials and sustainable techniques. In some cases, "green building" may not fully align with the principles of sustainable and natural construction, which typically utilize natural raw materials such as masonry in cement-free elements, lime plasters, wood and cork, and other natural products for sound insulation and thermo-hygrometric well-being.