High energy efficiency, modern and elegant design, high fire protection and durability over time: these are the goals achieved by the Pellegriti Associated Architecture Studio, which dealt with the renovation of the shell of an apartment building in Mestre dating back to the 1970s, which was substantially lacking in insulation. The building is five storeys above ground and has an original concrete frame structure, box-shaped infill walls, typical of building construction in that period, consisting of a state of hollow brick and exposed brick, as well as some parts of the facades finished in plaster. The absence of thermal insulation placed the building in a costly and inefficient energy class F. Architect Pellegriti chose solutions of high performance, technical and aesthetic quality: ventilated facades, realised with the Isotec Parete Black system, with improved reaction to fire.

Isotec Parete Black is a prefabricated insulation system, consisting of a structural monolithic panel, made of closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam (PIR) with a density of 38 kg/m³, self-extinguishing, in Euroclass B s2, d0 (EN 13501-1) with declared thermal conductivity λ_D equal to 0.025 W/mK for thicknesses 120 and 160 mm. The panel is clad with an embossed aluminium foil on the intrados, while on the extrados it is covered with a fire-resistant mineral coating, and is equipped with a pre-drilled protected structural steel stiffener integrated into the panel during the production phase. The metal profile is ribbed in order to provide high mechanical resistance and allow for the fixing of the facade's finishing elements.

The Isotec Parete system can accommodate and support any type of facade cladding. In this case, porcelain stoneware cladding was chosen in two colours, anthracite grey and dove grey, giving the building a simple and modern character. In addition, the stiffener integrated in the Isotec Parete panel is slotted to create the natural ventilation flow between the insulation and the external finish, which in summer favours the rapid outflow of warm air upwards, thanks to the so-called chimney effect, reducing the thermal load on the insulation, while in the cold season it facilitates the drying of moisture and rainwater that may accidentally infiltrate behind the cladding. The stiffener of the Isotec Parete Black panel was chosen for this site in black, for an effect of invisibility between the joints, which makes the aesthetic detail even more accurate.

A further advantage provided by the system is the completely dry laying method: Isotec Parete Black is laid on all substrates by mechanical anchoring (dowelling), without limitations due to low temperatures or less than optimal weather conditions.This allowed the installation to be carried out even during the winter months, without interruptions. In addition, the perimeter conformation of the panel with opposing wings guides and further simplifies installation, which, once completed, is perfectly continuous and free of thermal bridges. The horizontal joints between the panels are sealed with the appropriate butyl tape during construction.

Having completed work on the entire envelope, including the installation of new shutters, the energy classification shows a considerable improvement from the starting class F to Energy Class B, far exceeding the energy efficiency improvement requirements for access to the Superbonus from which the intervention benefited.