The 25,000sqm NOI (Nature of Innovation) Techpark in Bolzano, one of Italy’s most desirableareas to live and work, is designed to house a wide range of innovation companies, university research institutionsand training centres as an engine for economic development throughout the South Tyrol region.
Originally home to an aluminum factory, the plant was the biggest aluminum producer in Italy from 1937 until it closed. Both the owner and the designersdecided to achieve for the new building the target of nearly Zero Energy Building.NOI Techpark achieved LEED v4 Neighbourhood Development Gold sustainability certification, first in Europe, second in the World.
The client brief was to create a technologypark at a disused former aluminumfactory site for use by the local universityand technology R&D companies. It wasnecessary to ensure that this strikingcomplex retained its period character whilealso being brought fully up to date as ahome fit for a 21st century technologyhub. The overall result transformed a derelict and forbidding site into one of the most attractive workplaces in one of the most attractive parts of Italy.
The team sympatheticallyrefurbished the two existing listedbuildings and constructed the “BlackMonolith” building as a contextuallyappropriate link between the existingstructures.
Existing historical listed buildings were sensitively refurbished to give the value to the iconic rationalist industrialarchitecture, the beautiful water tower was also restored, giving the whole complex a memorable signature piece andfocal point.
Black Monolith is the new building in this refurbishment project, it represents the spark of intelligence that made evolutionpossible; something that, in its simple perfection, is still unknown but we aspire to discover. It is linear andessential, the only concession to the outside is given by thin cuts made into the dark skin.
The façades of the Black Monolith have deep surface “cuts” for control of direct solar irradiation. Aluminum foam panels with multi-wall composition retain heat during the winter and shield from heat during the summer.
Interior space was adapted to be functionally effective for its new uses – including offices, restaurants, stairs, lifts and distribution areas. Our brief was tailored by the end-users.We provided everything that the universityand R&D companies need in a cutting-edgeresearch environment, with theflexibility to allow spaces to adapt tochanging needs and new residents.
Allthe new structures are designed as Glass Boxes that gently fit into the existing structure, the boxes are easily recognizable for the materials, the furniture inside was designed by us tocomplement the space. The interior is verymuch ‘alive’.The period window fixtures were carefullyrestored, while the interior renovation wasdesigned to make the building thermallyefficient and energy-saving.
In the Black Monolith, all the floors are designed as open spaces, the structureimplodes in on itself opening up to light exclusively through inner courtyards, surrounded by glass. The interior designaim to highlight the flexibility of our contemporary style of working, see-through office boxes on the upper floorsare connected to one another through light walkways in order to encourage interactions.
The Science and Technology Park is a long-term project, with a 15 - 20 year development plan.
Material Used :
1. Facade cladding: Glazed Façades, Super Insulation Structural Glazing FW 50 SI SG bySchűco
2. Flooring: Resin floor bySivit
3. Doors: Doors by Ma-cos, Doors fixtures by Nardin; Metal doors by Futurall
4. Windows: Glazed Façades by Schűco; Restaurant window by Nardin; Metal windows by Futurall
5. Interior lighting: Atena Lux, Vetroricerca Glass, Skandinavia
6. Interior furniture: Partitions W80, Archipelago by Tecno spa; Cappelletti Srl, Falegnameria Fineline OHG, Kager Friedrich OHG, Häusl Christian, Kofler GmbH, A.r.t.e., Rossin, Arper; Glazed boxes, glazed external fixtures, glazed skylight by Base Spa
