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The project accompanied the change of location of the company Podium Advance Technologies, which is by nature future-oriented, building effective conditions to create quality and innovation. The environment meets the demands for comfort, collaboration and representativeness of its inhabitants. The concept gave shape to these aspects and values with customised environments for work and its communication. A process of analysis and data collection was conducted, with interviews with the various teams, which defined the functional layout and relational aspects, the need for adaptability of the spaces with a balance between areas intended for team work and spaces dedicated to individual work, and with the primary need to reallocate the production lines, motor sport and car assembly booths.
The project enhances the relationship between the interior and exterior, with new openings allowing employees to enjoy the outdoor areas. All spaces enjoy panoramic views of the valley, with a visual and functional connection to the natural environment. The building's large windows allow natural light to enter, improving interior comfort and maintaining a constant dialogue with the landscape. The outdoor green areas, covering approximately 5000 square metres, 2000 square metres of which are green, improve the employees' quality of life and also offer relaxation spaces. The focus on sustainability is reflected in the new electric mobility infrastructure for cars and bicycles, making the project respectful and integrated with the territorial ecosystem.
The integrated design adopted, considers aspects of energy efficiency from the earliest design phases, together with Active Design strategies, to minimise the need for heating/cooling/artificial lighting, thanks to the monitoring of working environments. The issues of comfort and healthiness are expressed in the natural light of the large windows and in both mechanised and natural ventilation of the rooms, with air quality control, the introduction of vegetation indoors and anti-noise floors. Many materials are selected for their low environmental impact. The outdoor green areas of approximately 5000 square metres, surrounding the building, maintain spontaneous vegetation and offer relaxation and enjoyment areas for employees.
The new Podium Engineering headquarters, starts from the conversion of an existing industrial building from the 1980s, through the emptying of the existing volumes of the two office buildings, the glazed entrance hall and the three production halls. The fulcrum of the design was the functional distribution of spaces designed on the basis of work activities with dynamic solutions and a careful study of path, rethought in function of the new destination. The interior design is designed for the company's needs, with a view to scalability, flexibility and employee collaboration, reflecting Podium's commitment to innovation and the well-being of its employees. The intervention aims to redesign the offices with modern innovation: spaces that encourage informal meetings, a training staircase, glazed meeting rooms for continuity and a layout that maximises natural light, enhancing the connection with the surrounding landscape. Each sector has work and meeting areas, meeting rooms, lounges and refreshment areas, phone and call booths. The existing glazed lobby is the main entrance and connection between the areas; the automotive workshops and battery production, are equipped with informal areas and real offices and meeting rooms. All existing and new elements are unified by the distinctive colour palette of white, dark grey and blue, which is interwoven with the representation of the company's identity.
The project stands out for its ability to adapt an existing building to the future developments of an innovative company, with flexible and modular spaces that can be reorganised according to emerging needs. The project develops and promotes new ways of inhabiting the office, in line with the idea that architecture can be a tool to make the encounter, the transfer of ideas and knowledge and the communication of values more immediate and effective.
Cristiana Catino|ACC Naturale Architettura is an architecture, urban planning, landscape and interior design firm founded in 2016. After formative experiences with Andrea Bruno and Renzo Piano, she was founder and partner of Negozio Blu AA until 2015.
Several projects include innovative retail (Green PEA; first Eataly), reuse of industrial buildings (WoPa, Parma-Pastificio Afeltra-Gragnano), hotels and offices (Fontanafredda; Podium) and interior design, urban and landscape redevelopment projects.
PlaC is an architecture/urbanism firm that develops regeneration projects on different scales; its work is the result of collaborative processes, with a critical approach about city-territory, construction and design. PlaC focuses on emphasizing existing qualities to evolve in something unexpected; strengthening of identities, adaptability of program and flexibility are the main tools. PlaC has developed projects in Italy and abroad and got awarded in different international competitions.
