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An All-Encompassing Visible Structure

Bonfiglioli Headquarters

Peter Pichler Architecture

An All-Encompassing Visible Structure
By Editorial Staff -
Pichler projects has participated in the project

The new Bonfiglioli headquarters, located in Calderara di Reno outside Bologna, is a palpable blend of efficiency and sustainability, reflecting the very identity of this company that is a leading Italian firm in industrial automation and renewable energy.

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the project is structurally characterized by a steel exoskeleton conceived and installed by Pichler projects in collaboration with Arup.

By positioning the load-bearing structure around all the exterior surfaces, the interior spaces have been freed from columns, allowing for a flexible and adaptable layout that is optimally suited to meeting differing working needs. For the south-facing façade and roof, Pichler projects installed an aluminum mesh – a kind of “second skin” that modulates light and minimizes the likelihood of overheating, ensuring a comfortable indoor environment even when outside temperatures hit their peaks. This aluminum mesh not only functionally integrates the building envelope and roof, but also creates a chimney effect that facilitates natural ventilation, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and increased energy self-sufficiency. The pitch of the roof on one side of the building has been designed to allow the north façade to use indirect lighting, providing soft, even natural light throughout the offices.

 © Alex Filz, courtesy Pichler projects

Designed as an NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building), the Bonfiglioli headquarters integrates sustainable technologies such as geothermal heat pumps and radiant ceilings, which contribute to reducing energy consumption and enhancing well-being in the workspace. The seven office floors, along with a mechanical and service level, are centered around an internal courtyard with a ground-level garden – a design that fosters connectivity across the building’s levels. Common areas are accessible via a glass walkway on the third floor, inviting interaction among employees. The use of a steel framework and cutting-edge technologies perfectly embodies Bonfiglioli’s sustainable vision, creating adaptable workspaces that meet both present and future demands, fully aligned with the company’s core values.

Pichler Projects 
Via Edison, 15 – I – 39100 Bolzano
Tel. +39 0471 065000
E-mail: [email protected]www.pichler.pro

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