The "TOGO ROSATI" Umbria and Marches Experimental Zooprophylaxis Institute

In 2011, the Ancona-based Sardellini Marasca Architetti studio won the tender for restoring the headquarters of the Umbria and Marches Experimental Zooprophylaxis Institute, a public health authority that helps ensure public veterinary hygiene and health matters are conducted properly.

The property, which belongs to the Institute is located in an area dedicated to public services between the outskirts of Ancona and the surrounding countryside and tucked away from any main roads.

In 2011, the property consisted of two buildings: the old 1960s premises, including the derelict director’s residence and the headquarters built in the 1990s and of disputable quality that was still in use. After an in-depth analysis, a decision was made to demolish the old premises, instead of restoring it, and to use the need for new spaces as an opportunity for a generally regenerating the image of the Ancona branch of the IZS Institute, even while not directly involving it.

The new building has a large, elongated design that follows the contours of the hill it is built on, so it merges into the surrounding landscape. The structure has two main floors that contain chemical laboratories, offices and conference rooms and its facade features a sequence of vertical louvre elements made of lamellar larchwood. These elements become a wall that hides the existing building and creates a continuous screen with the extension. The louvres that give the construction its powerful character on both the east and west façade, are a symbol of the choice to focus on the building’s shell. Together with other technical materials and system features, these louvres help reduce energy consumption way beyond the requirements of current standards and have won the building the highest possible ratings from energy certification authorities (A4 class).

On the Ground Floor there is a reception area, a conference hall and a number of offices, while the first floor houses chemical and microbiological laboratories. The facade is lit by Linealuce mini luminaires, which have been installed near the inner wall in order to provide a soft and homogeneous vertical grazing light that creates an effective reverse illumination effect on the vertical louvres.