Sinapsi CR2: a therapeutic retreat set in nature

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Sinapsi CR2 in Cremona, Italy, is a special building for special children. Developed by Occhi Azzurri Onlus, it accommodates children with rare neurological disorders and their families, with multiple goals: therapeutic, social, cultural, and recreational. Set in the Parco del Morbasco, near the Po River, it is deeply connected to nature. During its construction, no trees were removed, and fifty will be planted. Covering 1,600 m², the interior includes therapy and recreational rooms, swimming pools and gyms for rehabilitation, a special Snoezelen room, a bar, and an auditorium.

© ROCKWOOL

© ROCKWOOL

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Modular facade design

It is an achievement enabled by smart and modular design. A Mechano Advanced Steel Frame supports an envelope of stone wool panels and a stone wool outer layer with a wood-textured finish, delivering superior thermal and acoustic performance while blending into the surroundings. With its ventilated facade to the exterior and a fully insulated double gypsum board layering to the interior, it represents Cremona's first Active House.

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The building also features a green roof. To ensure hydraulic invariance, it is built on flat steel sandwich panels with a waterproof membrane. On it rests a 10 cm-thick mix of perennial herbaceous ground sedum and a volcanic aggregate, with a water retention capacity of ≥ 40 %. This sits on a drainage and water storage element of expanded polystyrene. Large skylights ensure natural light and ventilation.

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© Bildcredit

Photovoltaic green roof

There are also 126 solar panels (each of 440 W) covering 250 m² which can produce 55 KW peak power. Even in early March 2025, they measured around 200 Kwh per day (1/3 of the total need). Overall, Sinapsi CR2 allows children to relax, rehabilitate, and recover in the heart of a picturesque landscape. It exemplifies the New European Bauhaus principles: beauty, sustainability, and inclusion.

Find out more case studies in the new book “Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels“:

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