In the heart of the Incrociati district in Genoa, the former Post Office headquarters in Piazza Raggi—once a key operational hub of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications—has undergone a profound transformation thanks to the redevelopment project designed by NO.T Architetti Associati with EP&S Engineering Project & Service (lead firm), winners of the 2018 tender. This intervention is not merely a building renovation, but a targeted act of urban regeneration that breathes new life into an entire area of the city, enhancing the untapped potential of a strategic urban threshold.
The building, located on the right bank of the Bisagno river, behind Brignole Station, occupies a crucial position that links the urban axis towards the Fair district with the historic fabric of the neighborhood. Originally designed in 1971 and subsequently altered, the complex bore the marks of various construction layers that had compromised its original identity. The project tackled these complexities head-on, proposing an adaptive reuse with an atypical function—a modern headquarters for Iren—capable of accommodating offices, services, public areas, and meeting spaces.
At the core of the project was the desire to expose and celebrate the existing structure. Original steel columns and beams, along with concrete slabs, were not concealed but instead became the hidden and vibrant soul of the new building—a tangible testament to the site's history and a key to interpreting its new architecture. This approach, in line with a conscious restoration vision, enabled the establishment of continuity between past and future, where material becomes both memory and structure.
The intervention spans 8 levels (7 above ground) and a total area of 15,000 square meters, accommodating up to 400 workstations, meeting rooms, training spaces, public service counters, and a corporate restaurant. Architectural transformations included the addition of a new upper floor, internal spatial reorganization, and the creation of new vertical and horizontal connections to ensure more efficient and flexible use.
Special attention was paid to environmental and energy aspects: the building is now NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building), with an A4 energy rating, thanks to design choices centered on sustainability. The new curtain wall features high-transmission glass shaded by an aluminum brise-soleil and a double transparent skin. These elements, together with a bioclimatic greenhouse, contribute to solar radiation control and the reduction of energy loads, all while preserving visual comfort and emphasizing natural light—a cornerstone of interior quality.
This redevelopment stands as a virtuous model of sustainable building and urban renewal, where the structure is not conceived as an isolated entity but as an active part of its urban, social, and environmental context. The waterproofing of the ground and underground levels (up to 3.5 meters deep) also addresses hydrogeological safety requirements, crucial due to the building’s proximity to the river.
In line with Iren’s new organizational model—focused on smart working, digitalization, and employee well-being—the project fits into a broader corporate headquarters evolution strategy (already underway in the Turin and Reggio Emilia offices), offering dynamic, flexible, and high-performance spaces, both functionally and energetically.
Lastly, the project takes on a symbolic role: to become a new urban landmark for Genoa—an innovative and identity-rich point of reference for the city—demonstrating how architecture can transform existing spaces into places of value, memory, and future. The building—beyond its physical boundaries—establishes new relationships with the urban fabric, connecting spaces, times, and people in a layered and sustainable architectural experience.
Team:
Client: Iren S.p.A.
Architectural Design and Artistic Direction: NO.T Architetti Associati
Structural and MEP Design: EP&S Engineering Project & Service
Fire Prevention Design (Partner): Eng. Antonio Corbo
General Works Supervision: Eng. Stefano Dalmasso (EP&S)
General Contractor: AR.CO Lavori – Scotta s.r.l.
Photographer: Mario Frusca
Materials Used:
Curtain Walls and Windows: Schüco
Façade Construction and Installation: Sepam
North Prefabricated Façade: CIPA (Light Steel Frame)
Ventilated Façade: Equitone
Thermal Insulation System: Sto, with custom finish
South Façade Cladding: Etalbond by Elval Colour
Metal Roof: Riverclack by Iscom
Green Roof: Roofingreen
Metal Works and Architectural “Sail”: Bertero
Resilient Floor Coverings: Fotex by Forbo
Partition Walls: Universal Selecta
Ceramic Wall Coverings: Florim
Ceilings: Barcol Air
Interior Design and Setups: Artespazio
Custom Woodwork: Miserere
Seating: Viganò
Motorized Sun Shades: Medit
Lighting: iGuzzini – Xal – Simes
Escalators and Elevators: Thyssenkrupp
