Located within the former Carpano Lingotto industrial area in Turin, Green Pea extends the regeneration of the adjacent Eataly complex. Designed by ACC Natural Architecture Cristiana Catino in collaboration with Negozio Blu Architetti, the five-storey building is conceived as a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB, Class A3), combining material reuse, renewable energy systems, and spatial adaptability.
Resilience and eco-sustainability
The organic volume, with a multifaceted shape, is spread over five floors to a height of 25 meters, continuing the existing building line and extending the façade of Eataly. The north–south orientation and the flared shape of the top floor are designed to adapt to climatic and environmental conditions, supporting an even distribution of solar radiation.
The external envelope consists of two layers. An outer shell of wooden sunshade slats, supported by a steel rib, forms a technical “treillage” that acts as a filter between inside and outside. It allows the building to open to the city while providing solar protection. The slats, heat-treated for external use and stiffened by a metal core, were produced by Legno e Sole using fir wood recovered from forests in Trentino Val di Fiemme and Bellunese, damaged by the October 2018 storm and traditionally used for musical instrument soundboards.
The internal shell is made up of KVH solid wood sandwich panels, insulated with wood fiber and covered by sheet metal. Large openings in the glazed surfaces bring natural light into the interior spaces. The building fronts define a sequence of paved and planted pedestrian spaces.
The load-bearing structure is made of steel, a highly recyclable material. It consists of a mesh of primary (HEA 1000) and secondary (IPE400) beams resting on tubular pillars, reduced to a minimum to allow greater flexibility in the design and use of spaces. The resulting system is light while remaining structurally robust.
Green primary material for architecture
Green, not used as a decorative reference to nature, is introduced through the organic texture of the wooden facades, becoming part of the architecture. It grows across the terraces, where tall trees are planted in large containers. The vegetation was selected to suit the climate and microclimate of the different facades, favoring native plants and Italian flora.
A variety of natural environments extend from the base of the building to the large garden roof, which includes a bioclimatic greenhouse and is described as the “fifth facade” of Green Pea. In this part of the city, heavily industrialized during the twentieth century, green re-emerges as a visible element within the urban fabric.
Natural light and traditional materials
The layout of the various floors creates flexible spaces, clear circulation paths, and a relationship with the external greenery, while allowing natural light to enter. The interiors feature traditional materials such as natural lime and wood. The parquet is made from wood felled by natural causes and collected along the riverbeds of the Val Varaita. The paint is described as neutralizing pollutants and inhibiting the growth of mold and microbes.
From a building services perspective, Green Pea incorporates multiple renewable energy systems, including geothermal wells, photovoltaic panels, solar panels, mini wind turbines, smart flowers, and piezoelectric floors that capture kinetic energy from user movement.
Structure and circular construction
The primary structure, fabricated by Officine Costruzioni Metalmeccaniche Lombarde, consists of a steel frame that is dry assembled with bolts, allowing it to be dismantled and removed while supporting an extended building life cycle. Only foundations, stair cores, and slab infills are cast in reinforced concrete.
Internal partitions follow the same dry construction logic. The structural grid, defined by large-span beams (HEA 1000, IPE 400) and minimal columns, supports flexible spatial configurations. This adaptability has already been demonstrated through post-occupancy modifications, including the introduction of a 200-seat modular auditorium with movable partitions.
