Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography, WindowsBee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior PhotographyBee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography, WindowsBee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Interior Photography, Wood, BeamBee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - More Images+ 26

Coldrerio, Switzerland
  • Drawings, Planning Application: Irene Lucca, Marco Mariotti
  • Work Management: Alessandro Armellini, Irene Lucca
  • Idea And Scientific Advice: Davide Conconi
  • Blacksmith: Damiano Petraglio Fabbro Metallbau Sagl
  • Principal Use: Structure dedicated to the training of beekeepers
  • Flooring: Manutecnica SA
  • Waterproofing: Isoresine SA
  • Tinsmith: Conconi Sud SA
  • Windows: Eredi fu Costantino Chiesa
  • Curtains: Dick&Figli SA
  • City: Coldrerio
  • Country: Switzerland
More SpecsLess Specs
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz

Text description provided by the architects. The building called "Bee House" is an "educational apiary" (structure dedicated to the training of beekeepers); it is built within the "Mezzana Cantonal Agricultural-Farm - Professional Green Centre" at Coldrerio (TI). It’s a structure strongly desired and supported by FTA Federazione Ticinese Apicoltori (Ticinese Beekeeping Federation) and allows you to assist in the manipulation of the hives and the honey extraction process.

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography, Windows, Beam
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Image 23 of 31
Site Plan
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz

The Mezzana training center is a structure in which there are several courses related to the agricultural professions (animal production, agricultural production, viticulture) and the green-related professions (forestry, floriculture, gardening). The agricultural center was established in 1915. The area has great landscape relevance and is characterized by large areas dedicated both to agricultural and livestock activities. The project site is located downstream of the cantonal road that connects Mendrisio with Chiasso.

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Image 24 of 31
Floor Plan
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Interior Photography, Beam
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz

The site is a large concave and sloping area, facing south. "Bee House" is a building made of wood. It’s a volume with a roof supported by pillars that create a portico; under the portico, there’s a volume enclosed by four walls: two transparent (glass) and two opaque (wooden). This volume is divided into two separate rooms, a classroom with a full-height window that allows you to assist in the manipulation of the hives and a laboratory in which honey extraction takes place. The building is made of two main elements: a base and a pavilion.

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Interior Photography, Wood, Beam
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Image 29 of 31
Axonometry
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz

The reinforced concrete base has been sanded to make the aggregates visible and is characterized by three steps on each side. The pavilion is placed on top of it, 50 cm higher than the surrounded countryside level, and has a 2x1 proportion. The layout of the pavilion is based on a 130 cm raster (distance between pillars center). The longer side of the pavilion measures 12 modules, and the shorter side is 6. The pavilion consists of a prefabricated fir wood structure. The pillars have a section of 14 x 14 cm.

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Interior Photography, Facade
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Interior Photography, Beam, Column
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz
Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Image 28 of 31
Section 2

Two of the sides of the pillar are marked by a 2 cm groove. The pillars support 13 laminated fir beams measuring 794 x 39 x 14 cm made by a local sawmill. The structural parts have burned and brushed finish. The curtain walls are made with yellow construction site panels. The wooden pillars are connected to the base through an iron plate that will rust through time. Each structural element is autonomous and can be replaced without compromising structural integrity.

Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Marcelo Villada Ortiz

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Coldrerio, Switzerland

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Bee House Educational Apiary / Enrico Sassi Architetto" 22 Jun 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/984004/bee-house-educational-apiary-enrico-sassi-architetto> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.