Glossary: ​​Planivolumetric shape

Shape or planivolumetric shape

The planivolumetric shape of a building is identified with the solid figure delimited by the various surfaces (the external fronts for the vertical ones and the roofs for the flat or inclined ones) that compose it, including overhangs and overhangs greater than 1.50 m.

It is therefore a three-dimensional volume which defines the shape andencumbrance of the building in space. Its horizontal projection on the ground normally coincides with the covered area.

However, this definition has some uncertainties especially in relation to the construction elements excluded from the shape, that is, the completely underground floors, the uncovered balconies, the eaves projections, the external stairs (normal and emergency), the bow windows, canopies and shelters with an overhang below 1.50 m. Finally, the structures with removable and permeable cover such as gazebos and pergolas, provided they do not have any side closure.

This latter aspect is especially decisive for the interventions of Extraordinary maintenance, renovation, demolition with faithful reconstruction and installation of furnishing structures such as gazebos, pergolas, canopies and canopies.

These are interventions normally allowed by building regulations and urban plans, provided they are not alteration of the shape.

It is therefore necessary to establish what constitutes an effective alteration of the shape: it is a much debated topic among the experts, on which the TAR has expressed itself several times with a large series of judgments.

In general, the following do not constitute alterations of shape:

• l’surface increase useful or ancillary by building internal mezzanines;
• the opening of new ones doors or windows on the external facades;
• the installation of shelters, pergolas and gazebos of limited size and without fixed cover and side closures;
• the construction of external stairs emergency and structures (such as ramps or elevators) necessary for the elimination of architectural barriers.

I’m vice versa alterations:

• the plugging of loggias o pre-existing balconies with sliding windows;
• the execution of any expansion, in the form of both new building leaning against the pre-existing building, both of independent relevance from the main building, such as a prefabricated garage;
• the construction of canopies and shelters with upper overhang a m 1,50.