Druento Residential Building:
Trespa® Meteon® Panels as an Efficient and Visually Striking Finishing for the New Building Envelope
The energy-efficient renovation of a residential building in Druento, in the province of Turin, combines envelope insulation with the replacement of the heating system. Trespa® Meteon® panels, used in three colours and installed as part of a ventilated façade system, contribute to both the thermal and acoustic performance as well as the aesthetics of the project.
The dual objective of the renovation of the Druento condominium was:
- To make a strong visual impact, standing out from the otherwise anonymous surroundings
- And to significantly reduce overall energy consumption.
To achieve both goals, the Volta design studio adopted a synergistic approach, combining system efficiency assessments, construction technologies focused on correct insulation and envelope breathability, and high-performance, highly tactile finishing materials.
The old boiler was replaced with a new condensing model, and several insulation solutions were applied to the envelope. Trespa® Meteon® cladding panels — chosen from two Premium collections in three colours — were installed as part of the building's new façade system.
Original Conditions
Before the works, the building was clad in porcelain stoneware, which required constant maintenance. It had a central heating system powered by a standard, high-consumption boiler.
After analysing consumption, assessing the envelope properties and site conditions, Studio Volta opted for a ventilated façade solution. In some sections of the building, where wall thickness restrictions applied, they used an external insulation system without an air cavity. The old boiler was replaced with a condensing one.
Envelope Strategy
The envelope was insulated using 12 cm thick insulation, either with an external thermal insulation composite system or with a ventilated façade clad with Trespa® Meteon® panels.
This dual-technology approach was necessary due to design constraints on the façades, such as recesses, balconies, and areas where thickness could not be increased.
The ground floor, which features open areas on pilotis and commercial units, retained its original stone façade, and insulation was added via cavity wall injection.
The first and second floors, along with the inner ground-floor façade, were clad with Trespa® Meteon® panels in two colours from the Trespa® Meteon® Lumen collection:
- Lumen New York Grey (L2581) in Oblique finish
- Lumen Athens White (L0500) in Diffuse finish
These were combined with Weathered Basalt NA14 in a Matt finish from the Trespa® Meteon® Naturals collection — both from Trespa’s Premium lines, guaranteeing long-lasting colour and anti-graffiti properties.
The panels were installed using the TS700 visible fixing system with rivets on an aluminium substructure. All Trespa fixing systems are ETA-certified.
Trespa® Meteon® Panels
Trespa Meteon panels are compact high-pressure decorative laminates (as per EN 438-6:2016), available in various sizes, thicknesses (starting at 6 mm for exterior use), and colours.
They are composed of up to 70% natural fibre layers (from certified forests) impregnated with 30% thermosetting resins.
The surface is treated with Electron Beam Curing (EBC), a proprietary technology that enhances resistance to weather and UV radiation. This treatment bombards the panel’s surface with electrons, sealing the pores and preventing dirt from penetrating, thereby protecting the colour.
Trespa Meteon panels do not use melamine resin layers and are subjected to two weathering tests to ensure compliance with EN 438-2:29:
- The Xenon Test (Europe-wide validity)
- The Florida Test (global validity and up to 3x more aggressive)
In both, the panels achieved a 4/5 rating on the greyscale, indicating no visible colour fading.
Panels are formed through the simultaneous application of heat and specific pressure, creating a homogeneous, dense, closed-surface material. Trespa Meteon is available in two grades:
- Standard quality (EDS)
- Flame-retardant quality (EDF)
Key features of Trespa Meteon panels include:
- Low maintenance – no need for protective treatments as with wood
- Easy cleaning – surface dirt can be removed with a pressure washer, no special products required
- Anti-graffiti surface – graffiti can be cleaned with solvents without damaging the surface
- High impact resistance – CAT I as per EOTA 034, up to 600 J impact resistance, suitable for areas accessible to the public
Plant Engineering Strategy
The original boiler was replaced with a condensing unit, while the existing terminal units in the flats remained unchanged.
Additionally, two rooftop photovoltaic systems (7 kW total capacity) were installed, with an estimated production of around 9,000 kWh/year, along with battery storage to supply energy when panels are inactive.
The annual energy saving is estimated at 50% for the building’s communal areas.
Final Result
Before the renovation, the building was in Energy Class G with consumption of 223.8574 kWh/m²/year. After the works, it improved by two classes, reaching Class D, with consumption of 103.7083 kWh/m²/year.
For example, a first-floor flat of 90 m² (with entrance, living room, small kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, storage room, and two balconies) had a gas consumption drop from an average of 16,737 m³ (over the past three years) to 9,377 m³ (2022/2023 season) — a reduction of 43.97%.
A post-renovation property valuation of a first-floor unit showed that the energy upgrade and façade refurbishment led to an increase in value from €115,000 to €130,000 — a 13% appreciation.
Trespa: A Sustainable Choice
Trespa's sustainability policy is ambitious — aiming not just to "do less harm" but to create positive value for the environment.
Its approach is based on three operational pillars:
- Do No Harm – meeting sustainability and safety regulations in every operating country
- Do Good – supporting suppliers and customers in meeting sustainability challenges
- Do Better – a commitment to generating long-term environmental and business benefits
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