Biography
Leonardo Srl design studio was founded in Pisa in 2001 by Salvatore Re, continuing his professional career as an architect which began in 1983.The Leonardo Practice works in a variety of disciplines capitalizing on technological research put in place following partnerships with prestigious research institutions.
Particular attention is centered on the bioclimatic study of buildings combined with detailed research into materials. Environmental and economic sustainability is one of the Practice’s key objectives, together with cultural issues in respect of individual projects.
The team, which encompasses a wide variety of professional expertise, works on several different types of projects, mainly in the public sector, including urban planning, residential and hospitality projects, together with schools and educational facilities, ranging from new construction to renovation.
Architecture and engineering maintain an ongoing dialog for designing people-oriented spaces, aided by their innovative approach and technology.
The Leonardo Practice approach to their projects focuses on design factors such as "concreteness, ideas and innovation (...) due to an artistic and cultural concept that represents Made in Italy".
One of Salvatore Re’s current projects is Epitecture, a research project into the development of high-performance cladding for buildings, which began in 2008 in collaboration with the University of Parma.
Leonardo Strutture, an engineering firm which specializes in research into infrastructure for complex projects, was founded in 2010.
Numerous infrastructure projects by Leonardo-Salvatore Re include "I Praticelli" university campus in San Giuliano Terme (2008), with a total area of around 25,000 sq.m.
The youthful ambiance of the campus, with a decidedly aggregative concept hosts over 800 students and consists of a long, three-storey main building off which are six halls of residence blocks, each personalized with a primary plus a secondary color. The building also features large glass windows “with an innovative construction system where sheets of insulated glass, almost three meters high, are supported solely by steel cables and clamps, which gives the unique structure a sense of lightness.
Notable projects also include the Officine Porta Garibaldi in Pisa (2011), a public, multimedia, multi-functional structure with an intercultural and social function which promotes culture, communication and aggregation. Leonardo’s renovation project accentuates the heritage of the existing building, by refurbishing the city’s nearby, ancient medieval walls with glass. The transparent glass walls are also practical in terms of energy, since they let light into the building through triple-glazing containing photo voltaic cells which produce energy.
The "Dogana d’Acqua” restoration project in Livorno (2015) reconstructed the original building in the same position, “reproducing its original shape and size using different materials, prior to demolition. Rather than a historical imitation, it is a contemporary refurbishment. This refurbishment was made possible due to the transparent, printed glass cladding, which graphically re-imagines the previous building’s facade, preserving its memory, and combining past and present. The project won the German Design Award 2018.
Ongoing infrastructure work includes project management for the Japoma Sports Complex at Douala (official name: Stade Omnisport de Douala, by AECOM Sports Architecture, London). Cameroon is scheduled to host the 2021 African Cup of Nations football championship at the sports complex which will be equipped with 50,000 seats and athletics facilities for future events.
Other significant projects are the San Ranieri Hotel, Pisa (2007), architectural restoration and interior design of Casa Rossa (2008), restoration and relative structural consolidation of the Church of San Pierino, Vinculis (2009), New Department of Chemistry (2015), restoration and repurposing of the former Istituto Principe Amedeo (2012) and new "Concetto Marchesi” school complex (2018).
Leonardo Srl features in numerous publications, including Abitare, Casabella, Area, d’Architettura, Detail, Domus, Edilizia e Territorio and Il Giornale di Architettura.
Salvatore Re - Leonardo selected works and projects
- Complesso Sportivo Japoma, Douala (Camerun), 2019
- Nuovo complesso scolastico "Concetto Marchesi" (progetto), Pisa (Italia), 2018
- Officine Porta Garibaldi, Pisa (Italia), 2017
- Recupero della "Dogana d’Acqua”, Livorno (Italia), 2015
- Nuovo Dipartimento di Chimica, Pisa (Italia), 2015
- Restauro Fort St. Elmo, La Valletta (Malta), 2014
- Restauro e rifunzionalizzazione dell’Ex-Istituto Principe Amedeo, Pisa (Italia), 2012
- Residenze “Le Rene”, Pisa (Italia), 2010
- Restauro della Chiesa di San Pierino in Vinculis, Pisa (Italia), 2009
- Recupero architettonico della Casa Rossa, Calci, Pisa (Italia), 2008
- Residenza universitaria “I Praticelli”, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa (Italia), 2008
- Hotel San Ranieri, Pisa (Italia), 2007
- American Bar “Chez Ugo”, Livorno (Italia), 2004
Official website:
www.leonardoprogetti.com
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