Retirement home, Lake Maggiore
Window replacement under operating conditions.
Over 790 windows in a matter of four months – the Menotti Bassani retirement home refurbishment posed a series of challenges: three buildings with varying demands placed by the existing fabric, over 150 different window sizes plus high requirements in terms of thermal insulation, comfort and security. And all while the facility continued to operate. This project is a textbook example of how taxing conditions can be efficiently mastered by means of meticulous planning and coordinated procedures.
Existing complexity, flexible solutions.
The Menotti Bassani retirement home comprises three distinct building volumes – Scotti, Bassani and Arioli – each with its own specific requirements for window refurbishment. Two of the blocks had been fitted with wooden windows that lent themselves to the minimally invasive slide-on installation method: this involves cutting back the existing window frames and facing them with new frames and connection profiles. Slide-on installation generates hardly any noise or dirt and allows windows to be replaced in around two hours. The third (Arioli) block had aluminium windows mounted on an iron frame. Here it was possible to fix the new windows directly to the existing, intact fabric.
Existing complexity, flexible solutions.
The Menotti Bassani retirement home comprises three distinct building volumes – Scotti, Bassani and Arioli – each with its own specific requirements for window refurbishment. Two of the blocks had been fitted with wooden windows that lent themselves to the minimally invasive slide-on installation method: this involves cutting back the existing window frames and facing them with new frames and connection profiles. Slide-on installation generates hardly any noise or dirt and allows windows to be replaced in around two hours. The third (Arioli) block had aluminium windows mounted on an iron frame. Here it was possible to fix the new windows directly to the existing, intact fabric.
The office, with its light uPVC frames and generous glass surfaces, provides the ideal working environment.
The overall contract embraced over 150 different window sizes, which presented a significant challenge in terms of planning. Yet, these demands were readily accommodated by Finstral’s modular production system: all models were precision-manufactured for a perfect fit and exactly tailored to the specific installation conditions.
The energy-efficient refurbishment, implemented under Italy’s Superbonus 110% scheme, placed high demands in terms of thermal insulation. The project team opted for Finstral windows with the Slim-line frame and Twin coupled sashes with motorised interstitial Venetian blind. Compared to a standard sash, this combination improves thermal insulation by some 20 % and soundproofing by 100 %.
The retirement home environment placed further special requirements on the new windows. The Multiprotect laminated safety glass reduces the risk of injury while the lockable handles with their tilt-before-turn function and the panic hardware offer enhanced safety for residents, visitors and staff.
The energy-efficient refurbishment, implemented under Italy’s Superbonus 110% scheme, placed high demands in terms of thermal insulation. The project team opted for Finstral windows with the Slim-line frame and Twin coupled sashes with motorised interstitial Venetian blind. Compared to a standard sash, this combination improves thermal insulation by some 20 % and soundproofing by 100 %.
The retirement home environment placed further special requirements on the new windows. The Multiprotect laminated safety glass reduces the risk of injury while the lockable handles with their tilt-before-turn function and the panic hardware offer enhanced safety for residents, visitors and staff.
Safety across the board: All windows are fitted with Multiprotect laminated safety glass. In the event of glass breakage, the safety interlayer holds the shards in place, thereby minimising the risk of injury.
Slim frames create a pleasant atmosphere in the lounge area.
Modular variety: Finstral’s in-house production facility supplied over 150 different window sizes for this refurbishment scheme.
The slim-frame design lends the retirement home a modern character.
The many windows provide natural warmth and abundant daylight.
Meticulous planning was indispensable for performance of the works under operating conditions: although the team set out to replace ten windows per day, there were not always enough vacant rooms available. Hence, to meet the daily quota, the programme periodically required flexible adaptation. Use of the slide-on installation method allowed the window replacement to be performed with the utmost consideration for residents and staff – also in sensitive areas, such as the Alzheimer’s ward or hospice.
Project profile:
Finstral elements:
Project profile:
- Property: Menotti Bassani retirement home
- Locality: Laveno (VA), Lake Maggiore, Italy
- Construction task: Window replacement
- Planning: Energysave
- Year of construction: 1950–1960; refurbished: 2024/2025
- Total area: approx. 25,000 m²
Finstral elements:
- FIN-Window window Slim-line Twin 77+8 Aluminium-uPVC
- FIN-Door door Step Frame – Step Frame +8 Aluminium-uPVC
- FIN-Vista window wall 169 Aluminium-uPVC
- FIN-Vista window wall 169 Aluminium-aluminium
Ample glass, more daylight: post-refurbishment, the large window wall with its Slim-line frames and full-depth glazing admits far more daylight into the interior.
The Arioli building sits prominently on the hill.
Building connection
1. Following insulation of the external walls and the roller shutter boxes on the interior, the sashes of the old wooden windows were removed and the existing frame cut back to prepare for slide-on installation.
2. The second step entailed fitting a new roller shutter guide rail and sliding the new uPVC-aluminium window onto the existing frame.
1. Following insulation of the external walls and the roller shutter boxes on the interior, the sashes of the old wooden windows were removed and the existing frame cut back to prepare for slide-on installation.
2. The second step entailed fitting a new roller shutter guide rail and sliding the new uPVC-aluminium window onto the existing frame.
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