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Bobcat equipment vital to redevelopment of former Rossani Barracks in Bari, Italy

In the San Lorenzo district of Bari, the historic heart of the Carrassi district of Puglia in Italy, the former Rossani barracks, built in 1908, is an imposing sight. In its 83 years of military life, the Barracks had always been a point of reference for the local population. More recently, the ‘Campo San Lorenzo’, the internal esplanade, has long hosted local sports teams for their training. Between 1998 and 2000, the complex definitively ceased its military function, marking the beginning of a slow decline.

In this context, redevelopment work is underway today on the area that will house the new Academy of Fine Arts of Bari. The goal is to breathe new life into this important complex and restore the barracks to their historic urban vocation, transforming it into a public place accessible to the entire community. The work, which began in June 2023, should be completed by the end of 2025.

The Municipality of Bari has launched a competition for the redevelopment of the large area located in front of the barracks, an initiative that saw the participation of renowned architects. Among the projects presented, that of the acclaimed architect, Massimiliano Fuksas, stands out, who proposed the creation of a vast urban park that extends over an area of ​​approximately 30,000 square metres, offering a meeting and leisure place for local people.

The intention to also redevelop the buildings inside the complex was recently renewed, for which a framework agreement has been signed with the company, De Marco S.r.l. The first implementing contract of the framework agreement with the Municipality of Bari provides for the recovery of buildings D and H of the former Rossani barracks.

Given the historical nature of these buildings, the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape has imposed some constraints, forcing the designers to reconsider the location. Consequently, the construction of reinforced concrete structures located in the basement was included, which will help make the buildings functional.

To carry out these interventions, the choice of two Bobcat machines was crucial: the E55z mini-excavator and the S66 compact loader.

The E55z mini-excavator, used to carry out the excavations, is particularly suitable for precision work in small spaces, thanks to its ability to operate with great agility and its compact structure that minimizes the footprint during operations. Digging with precision and speed, it has created trenches for the reinforced concrete substations that start from the outside and then branch out inside the buildings, thus ensuring the proper installation of the required systems. The E55z also took care of the internal demolition, in particular the removal of the flooring and the crawl space.

The E55z mini-excavator combines comfort and performance in a ZHS (Zero House Swing) structure, allowing maximum peace of mind when the machine is working close to walls. In fact, with the ZHS profile, the rotation of the E55z turret remains completely confined within the limits of the width of the tracks. Nothing protrudes, neither the boom swing cylinder, nor the front corners, nor the handles, nor the lights, nor even the door, whether open or closed, making it ideal for tackling the challenges of construction sites where space is limited.

The S66 skid-steer loader has been used for a series of complementary and essential operations. Thanks to its versatility and manoeuvrability, it was used for the rapid and easy movement of waste materials, significantly simplifying cleaning and removal operations. Furthermore, it was essential for the efficient transportation and distribution of the necessary materials in the various sectors of the construction site. This made it possible to optimize the execution times of the works and significantly improve the overall efficiency of the operations, reducing downtime and ensuring a more fluid and coordinated operational flow.

The S66, together with the larger S76 and S86 models, is part of the R-Series range of compact loaders designed to tackle demanding jobs in tight spaces and to be even more robust than previous models, featuring improvements in terms of performance, comfort and visibility that help increase productivity. Thanks to the high-flow hydraulic system as standard, the versatility of the S66 is further improved as it can be used with advanced attachments with greater capacity.

“We are extremely satisfied with the two Bobcat machines machines,” comments Pasquale de Marco, owner of De Marco S.r.l. “The E55z mini-excavator and the S66 compact loader have not only allowed us to optimize the efficiency of the work, allowing us to operate in limited spaces and respecting the historical constraints imposed by the Superintendency, but they have also been crucial for the precise and safe construction of the infrastructure necessary for the redevelopment of the historic buildings of the Rossani barracks.”

The Bobcat machines purchased by the De Marco company were supplied by Caldarola S.r.l., the Bobcat dealer for Puglia and Basilicata. "We are specialized suppliers of Bobcat machines and offer a full range of related services. Among these, we supply original spare parts and offer professional assistance for maintenance support. Our relationship with De Marco is well established and long-lasting, boasting a collaboration that has spanned over 20 years. During this period, the company has purchased numerous machines, including models such as the S530, E20z, S66 and E55z. Each purchase has been completed with specific attachments for the different operational needs, such as hydraulic breakers, mixing buckets and much more, ensuring versatile and customized solutions for all works needed," says Eng. Riccardo Guerrieri,

Manager of the Modugno branch of Caldarola, who handled all aspects of the sale of the two machines involved in the work at the former Caserma Rossani.

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