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Craft skill, innovation, technology, research, experience, and quality are the heart and soul of Giuntini, a historic Tuscan textile company set up by Landa Sabatini in the 1960s. Sabatini successfully transformed her passion and vision into an international business that’s still successful today, producing hundreds of thousands of high-end garments every year. The firm recently undertook an overhaul of its historic factory, renovating the pattern-making department, production areas, and offices to improve working conditions and the efficiency of its skilled staff. Andrea Mannocci of Andstudioarchitects oversaw the project, with Artemide a key supplier. Artemide’s products made it possible to light each space in a sophisticated, innovative way, making both the open plan work area and other spaces functional and elegant. Comprising the pattern-makers’ workstations, the printing department, and a staff kitchen, the open plan area is the nerve center of the facility.
The aim of redeveloping this approximately 750 sq.m. area was to both optimize working conditions and enhance brand image, with the site used for client meetings to discuss the development of new clothing designs.
Both the articulation of its spaces and large windows mean that many of the factory’s areas connect. The open plan area, for example, connects with the tailoring department, keeping together – including visually – all the phases of garment production, from the initial sketch to the computer drawing, cutting, and final packaging.
The choice of palette played an important role in improving the quality of the work environment, with color now a defining element of Giuntini’s headquarters. Except for the light colors of the work surfaces, the design centers on dark tones – gray and black in particular – to leave the focus on the fabrics themselves. Lighting plays a key role in both this and the functionality of the spaces, with Artemide supplying its A.24 system for the project. Metaphorically recalling a thread of fabric, the system gently winds its way through the various spaces. Custom-made for the project, the lighting also stands out against the black ceilings.
The A.24 system combines diffuse lighting modules with controlled shaping to meet UGR parameters and ensure comfortable lighting on work surfaces and mannequins. Each workstation is then lit by Eggboard suspension lamps,which, because of their materials and geometries, also absorb acoustic reverberation to provide total environmental quality. The result is a perfect balance between the best lighting for computer work and designing prototypes on mannequins.
The idea of a thread gently winding its way through the different spaces extends upstairs to the offices, with the Alphabet of Light System product on the stairs and Alphabet of Light Letters at the entrance to the office area itself.
The Alphabet of Light System modules spell out Giuntini on the ceiling while also illuminating the space below. Tolomeoprovides personal and flexible lighting for each workstation. In the meeting rooms is a customized composition of Ripple, designed by BIG. The result is lighting design that reflects Giuntini’s own brand of craftsmanship.
For more info: www.artemide.com
Location: Peccioli, Pisa, Italy
Architect: Andstudioarchitects
Project manager: Annachiara Pieroni
Suppliers: Artemide
Photography by Pietro Savorelli, courtesy of Artemide
