A decisive step has been taken towards the establishment of the Level II Regional Specialist Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at the Bari Polyclinic. The tender for design services, published on the EmPULIA platform with a tender base value of more than € 5 million, has been awarded to a Temporary Consortium (RTP), ETS S.p.A. Engineering and Technical Services, in collaboration with other architectural and engineering firms.

The new center will be located in the Chini Pavilion, which will undergo a major program of refurbishment and repurposing, bringing together in one location the multidisciplinary care pathways for patients affected by ALS, SMA and other rare neuromuscular diseases. The project will also include work to the Balestrazzi Pavilion. This will involve modernization of the raised ground floor and parts of the first and third floors, dedicated to complementary clinical and healthcare functions.

The design will aim to guarantee architectural quality and operational efficiency, with particular attention to patient-centered and inclusive spaces, safety, the integration of architecture and technology and operational flexibility. The winning bidder proposed both a cost reduction and shorter delivery times, pledging to complete the design phase in 192 days, compared with the 240 days originally set out in the tender.

The project schedule includes two main stages: the Technical and Economic Feasibility study (PFTE), lasting six months, with the first month dedicated to the study of alternative solutions and the following five months to the development of the definitive solution; and the Construction Plan (working drawings), scheduled over a further two months to define the technical details. According to this timeline, the construction plan will be completed by the middle of next year, allowing construction to begin immediately thereafter.