Venetian paperchase
Air conditioning is kinda nice to have here and we thought that this summer we would install AC in our two office rooms and our bedroom. This would involve a single unit outside on the roof or a wall, and two or three internal units, connected to the external one by narrow metal hoses conveying some kind of coolant.
We got four estimates (preventivi) and we decided it was probably do-able. I told the administrator of the condominium about the plans as we felt he should be aware. It went to the condo assembly and all tenants said okay (after they asked where the outdoor unit would be located to ensure it would have no effect upon their lives). At that meeting the administrator, Dott. Campajola, told me I had to have the approval of Venice's Soprintendenza dei Beni Archittetonici, headquartered in the Doge's Palace.
Oh-oh, I thought, here we go. Our building was built in 1502 and, therefore, is vincolato, chained, i.e., no changes, improvements, defacings, etc. without the Soprintendenza's permission.
I went to the Doge's Palace and was told that that section was available 3 mornings per week with an appointment. I had no appointment, but I was smart enough to wear a suit and tie and carry a briefcase and when I said I just needed a form, the reception person allowed me up. Sloppy! Ties still carry weight here since so few people wear them. And indeed I got my information sheet which explained the various separate documents which had to be submitted by my architect to the soprintendenza to install an air conditioner.
The items required:
Document 1: a form (payment of €15.62) with all names, addresses, phones, emails of people involved.
Document 2: extract of the official city plan showing all buildings nearby, boundaries, etc. Plan obtainable from city land registry office open Monday mornings 9-12, and Wednesday afternoons 2-5.
Document 3: drawing of the proposed work, location on the plan, etc, by the architect hired (yes, that's right, an architect for an airconditioner and you need one who especially knows the contacts to grease the skids). (3 copies)
Document 4: Descriptions and technical specifications of equipment involved. (3 copies)
Document 5: Details of all the installation procedures, affixing to wall, transport to the roof, access, equipment required, etc.
Document 6: Photograph of the designated area of installation (A4 size) dated and signed by owner and architect.
In addition to the above which goes to the Sovrintendenza, a copy must go to the Commune of Venezia at Campo Manin, attention of the tecnici for the Dorsoduro area.
In retrospect, I should not have advised the administrator of the condo of our plans and should have gone ahead and done the work. This is a common happenstance in Italy. Do something first, ask permission later. When that happens, the thing done is called "abusivo". 75% of the time the authorities never find out. When they do, often when an enemy of yours "denounces" you, you get an ex-post facto permission (called a "condono") and pay a minor fine.
It has become clear that an architect is required here to get the proper paperwork and forms and drawings into the correct hands in a timely fashion. The alternative is that we go alone into that nightmarish world of bureaucrats and I, with my 3rd rate Italian.
By now the companies from whom we obtained estimates have given up on us; and in August no one works in Italy. Thinking a new air conditioner for late October sounds about right. Sometime in between the architects will go on strike.
Finally, let's be joyful as Pascha is almost here, Christ is almost Risen! As the Cherubic Hymn goes, "put aside all earthly care that we may receive the King of all..." Buona Pasqua!
