The Cathedral of Fiesole, dedicated to Saint Romulus, is an edifice of immense historical and artistic significance. Its roots date back to the 11th century, making it a symbolic landmark of the profound bond between sacred architecture, regional identity, and millennial spirituality. Intervening in a context of such prestige and delicacy is never a mere technical operation: it requires moving with utmost respect, specialized expertise, and meticulous attention to every single detail.
The Design Challenge: Comfort and Complex Volumes
The primary challenge lay in improving thermal comfort during the winter months. Heating such vast volumes, characterized by high thermal inertia, requires solutions that go beyond conventional standards. To meet this need and support the main heating system, an “extraordinary” installation was designed: a system based on the use of long-throw nozzles.
This technical choice was driven by the necessity to guarantee effective air distribution, capable of reaching areas occupied by worshippers and visitors homogeneously, overcoming natural stratification and the structural complexities typical of a Romanesque cathedral.
Integration and Respect for Heritage Authorities
The excellence of the intervention by Officine Volta lies in the ability to harmonize performance with aesthetics. We worked with the greatest care, operating in constant synergy with the guidelines provided by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio (the local Ministry of Culture authority).
The objective was clear: to integrate the nozzle array as coherently as possible within the pre-existing architectural context. Thanks to an accurate study of positioning and finishes, the technological component was installed without altering the historical interpretation of the building—making it nearly invisible to the eye, yet tangible in the perceived well-being.
