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Institutional spaces open to the city
An Institutional Space Open to the City
The Serregno City Council Chamber is located in the underground space of Piazza Risorgimento. The public has direct access from the square – via an exclusive area within the auditorium’s glass foyer – and via stairs and elevators to the lower level. The project transforms a space that already has structural conditions but has not yet been put into use into a contemporary institutional space that can not only serve parliamentary activities, but also host exhibitions, conferences and other activities open to the city. The design decision was made to largely retain the existing architectural pattern, resulting in precise and targeted interventions: based on new furniture, selective adaptations and integrated technical systems. Demolition and intrusive works are kept to a minimum, and interventions are concentrated on those elements that define the new character of the space. Some existing elements were adapted to accommodate the new layout, including columns with plasterboard cladding removed, and suspended ceilings adapted to accommodate existing rails and a new curtain system. The project selectively changes the existing pattern while retaining its spatial and structural characteristics. A new passage dedicated to parliamentarians and municipal staff directly connects the Council Chamber with the municipal headquarters, Palazzo Caponaghi Landriani.
The Seregno Municipal Council Chamber is located in an underground space beneath Piazza Risorgimento. Public access is provided directly from the square, through a dedicated area within the Auditorium’s glazed foyer, from which a staircase and lift lead to the spaces on the lower level. The project has transformed a structure that had been prepared but was not yet operational into a contemporary institutional space, conceived not only for Council activities but also to host exhibitions, meetings and other initiatives open to the city. The decision to substantially preserve the existing architectural layout led to a precise and targeted intervention, based on new furnishings, selective adaptations and integrated technological systems. Demolition and invasive works were therefore kept to a minimum, concentrating the intervention on those elements capable of defining the space’s new character. Some existing components were adapted to the new configuration, including the columns, from which the plasterboard cladding was removed, and the suspended ceiling, modified to accommodate the existing tracks and the new curtain systems. The works selectively altered the existing arrangement while preserving its spatial and constructive characteristics. A new connection reserved for councillors and municipal staff directly links the Council Chamber to Palazzo Caponaghi Landriani, the municipal headquarters.
▼Overall view of the chamber: the square desk arrangement and semi-circular partitions © Marcello Mariana
▼The desk arrangement and the stripped columns © Marcello Mariana
▼The Council Chamber in use © Marcello Mariana
reconfigurable space
A Reconfigurable Space
The council chamber is organized as an open, reconfigurable space. The central area used for parliamentary meetings is defined by a series of semi-circular partitions and can be separated from the surrounding space by a system of curtains. There are no rigid partition walls, so changes in spatial layout do not require permanent changes to the building. In the center of the hall, an existing glazed cube rises from the ground of Renaissance Square, bringing natural light into the underground space through a pool, establishing a connection between the parliament hall and the square above. The adjoining space of the Council Chamber can also be used for temporary exhibitions and can be rearranged with movable stands. This mobility allows the space to adapt to different needs without the need to introduce permanent structures. The division of the central hall follows the same principle: a curtain system runs along tracks integrated in the suspended ceiling, adapting the openness of the space to each use. The Council Chamber can therefore assume different layouts depending on the activities it hosts – from formal parliamentary meetings to exhibitions, gatherings and public events – while maintaining a clearly identifiable spatial structure.
▼Model: the desk arrangement and curtains © Ortalli Verrier
The chamber is organized as an open and reconfigurable space. The central area dedicated to Council meetings is defined by a sequence of semi-circular partitions and can be separated from the surrounding spaces by means of a curtain system. The absence of rigid partitions allows the spatial configuration to be modified without permanently altering the architecture. At the center of the chamber, a pre-existing glazed cubic volume rises from the surface of Piazza Risorgimento and brings natural light into the underground space through a water basin, establishing a connection between the chamber and the square above. The spaces adjacent to the Council Chamber are also intended for temporary exhibitions and can be reconfigured through movable stands. Their mobility allows the spaces to adapt to different requirements without introducing permanent structures. The same principle applies to the separation of the central chamber: the curtain system runs along tracks integrated into the suspended ceiling and allows the degree of openness of the space to be defined according to each use. The chamber can therefore assume different configurations in response to the activities it accommodates — from formal Council meetings to exhibitions, meetings and public events — while maintaining a clearly recognisable spatial structure.
▼Columns and the desk arrangement © Marcello Mariana
▼A Council meeting scene © Marcello Mariana
▼Columns and curtains inside the chamber © Marcello Mariana
▼The reconfigurable council space © Marcello Mariana
▼Curtains and columns allow the openness of the space to be adjusted.
Curtains and columns: the degree of openness is adjustable © Marcello Mariana
▼The adjacent space for temporary exhibitions © Marcello Mariana
▼People gathering in the adjacent space © Marcello Mariana
new furniture
New Furnishings
The furniture design introduces a new perceptual scale to the hall. The table system for the Councilors, Executive Council, Speaker and Mayor integrates the different institutional seats into a single component – a square inscribed in the circular geometry of the hall. The table is made from resin-coated plywood, complemented by birch inserts and leather worktops, bringing new material textures and precise furniture scale to the space. The same principle guides the design of the public seating: a large curved bench in solid birch with leather backrest and supports follows the geometry of the semicircular wall; it is complemented by four benches with backrests, also in birch. Wood is the common thread that connects the new design elements, helping to define the overall character of the interior. The wooden slat cladding of the remaining curved walls reinforces this material continuity, creating a series of surfaces that accompany the perception of the space and emphasize its geometry. Overall, the project transforms the existing structure through a limited and selected number of elements: furniture, materials, light, partition systems and technology. The design does not build a new space, but establishes a new identity for the existing space, while retaining the possibility of adjusting its functions over time, strengthening its character as an institutional space open to the city.
▼Detail of the councillors’ desk © Ortalli Verrier
The design of the furnishings introduces a new perceptual scale within the chamber. The system of desks for councillors, the Executive Board, the President and the Mayor brings the different institutional workstations together into a single element, forming a square inscribed within the circular geometry of the chamber. Made of resin-coated plywood, with birch inserts and leather work surfaces, the desk introduces a new material presence and a precise scale of furniture into the space. The same principle guides the public. A large curved bench in solid birch wood, with a leather backrest and back support, follows the geometry of the semi-circular walls. It is complemented by four benches with backrests, also made of birch. Wood acts as the common thread linking the newly designed elements and contributes to defining the overall identity of the interior. geometry.Overall, the project transforms an existing structure through a limited number of selected elements: furnishings, materials, light, partitioning systems and technology. Rather than constructing an entirely new space, the project establishes a new identity for the existing one, while maintaining the possibility of adapting its use over time and reinforcing its character as an institutional space open to the city.
▼A curved birch bench that conforms to the semicircular wall.
The curved solid birch bench following the semi-circular walls © Marcello Mariana
▼Model © Ortalli Verrier
▼Orthophoto of Seregno © Ortalli Verrier
▼Project plan © Ortalli Verrier
▼Demolition and new construction plan © Ortalli Verrier
▼Section A, Section A © Ortalli Verrier
▼Section B, Section B © Ortalli Verrier
Project name: Serenho City Council Hall
Project: Seregno Municipal Council Chamber
Project address: Piazza della Renaissance in Serregno, Italy
Location: Piazza Risorgimento, Seregno (MB), Italy
Client: Municipality of Serenho
Client: Municipality of Seregno
Designer: Ortalli Verrier (Giacomo Ortalli, Gaelle Verrier, and Marco Ortalli)
Architecture: Ortalli Verrier — Arch. Giacomo Ortalli, Arch. Gaelle Verrier with Arch. Marco Ortalli
Year: Design 2024–2025, Construction 2025–2026
Year: Design 2024–2025, Construction 2025–2026
Health and Safety Coordinator: Arch. Luca Valaguzza
Health and Safety Coordination: Arch. Luca Valaguezza
Project Manager for Public Administration (RUP): Arch. Virginio Somaschini
RUP — Project Manager for the Public Administration: Arch. Virginio Somaschini
Constructor: GF di Fioroni Walter & C. SAS Srl; STT Srl — Servizi Telematici e Telefonici
Contractors: GF di Fioroni Walter & C. SAS Srl; STT Srl — Servizi Telematici e Telefonici
Photography: Marcello Mariana
Photography: Marcello Mariana
Contact email:ortalli@ortalliverrier.com
Contact: ortalli@ortalliverrier.com
Company website:www.ortalliverrier.com
Website: www.ortalliverrier.com
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