The Dante Alighieri Primary School in Palmanova reopens.

The primary school on Via Dante in Palmanova reopens, structurally renovated, after a major renovation to increase seismic safety, improve energy efficiency, and extensive work to replace all systems. The work, which involved a total investment of €4.7 million from EU, state, regional, and municipal funds , significantly increased the building's seismic rating . Significant energy efficiency improvements were also carried out to reduce heating and electricity consumption and, consequently, operating costs. This improvement also improved the environmental impact by reducing harmful emissions, allowing the 1922 building to move from energy efficiency class D to energy efficiency class A2 .

The building, constructed in 1922 and expanded in 1956, hosted its first school year in 1924/25. Since 2005, it has been protected by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage as a building of historical interest. Today, the Dante School is a completely renovated, efficient, and safe facility, with state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities. The over 3,000 square meter building houses 17 classrooms, a gym, three dining halls, a staff room, three storage rooms, and laboratories.

These interventions included improved thermal insulation of the building envelope to class A2, an adequate and improved seismic vulnerability index, a fire resistance index suitable for schools with REI 120 false ceilings, a completely renovated and compliant fire prevention system, a new system with a renovated heating plant, replaced pipes and radiators with independent valves and a heating system for each classroom, a completely redesigned electrical system, a new roof with replaced and reinforced beams and a redone roof, replacement floors (the gym floor is made of special rubber), a home automation system introduced to manage the systems, a fiber optic internet and broadband network in the classrooms, and bathrooms with completely renovated fixtures.

Mayor Giuseppe Tellini : "This significant commitment, both financially and temporally, returns to the community a historic school building with improved internal livability, significant energy savings, and, above all, the necessary earthquake-proofing to ensure the safety of students and staff. Thanks to the institutions, the previous administration led by Francesco Martines, the workforce, and the municipal offices that contributed to this important milestone, families and teachers now have a place where they can build quality educational programs, supporting students in their personal and cultural growth."

Thanks to the redevelopment works, the building has gone from energy class D to the more efficient A2, energy consumption has decreased by 57% , heating costs have decreased by 61% , resulting in a saving of 15 thousand euros per year in management, reducing costs from €25,200 to €9,800, with also a halving of CO2 emissions into the environment.

A long and complex journey that over the years has faced three global obstacles : the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting suspension of work, the introduction of the Super Bonus with the sudden increase in the prices of materials and raw materials, and finally the war in Ukraine, which had severe repercussions on the energy sector and the availability of raw materials. Despite these significant challenges, the Project Management, all the workers involved, and the Municipal Offices demonstrated resilience and determination, allowing us to look back with satisfaction on the milestone achieved.

Luca Piani, Councilor for Public Works, added: "The redevelopment prioritized the construction of an anti-seismic system, along with significant energy efficiency improvements aimed at reducing heating consumption and operating costs, while also improving the environmental impact. The work also included the installation of a modern fire detection and alarm system, an emergency lighting system, the implementation of cutting-edge facilities, the upgrade of the electrical systems, and the completion of the related construction works. Thus, the building, which extends over a surface area of ​​over 3,000 square meters, can now guarantee safety, sustainability, and full functionality."

Education Councilor Simonetta Comand concludes: "With the return of primary school classes to the Dante School, the classrooms temporarily made available to accommodate the younger students will return to the exclusive use of the Zorutti Middle School, thus ensuring adequate and functional spaces for everyone. This new school facility is much more suitable for teaching and provides adequate space for students, children, and teachers, as well as welcoming them in a functional, modern, and safe environment. We must thank all the school staff for their passion, patience, and dedication. They helped us set up the classrooms in time for the start of the school year this summer."