For the Well-being of People and the Environment

By Editorial Staff - 1 October 2024
Garofoli, Mitsubishi Electric, dormakaba have participated in the project

The CRIF21 office center, designed by Politecnica and located in Bologna’s Via Beverara, is an important part of the urban regeneration of the entire Lame district. The office building, characterized by trapezoidal shapes, covers a total area of
12,000 sq. m, distributed across six above-ground and two underground floors, with a green courtyard measuring over
2,000 sq. m.

The decision to demolish an existing industrial building to make way for a new office center in a densely occupied area aims to reduce the consumption of undeveloped land and redevelop neighborhoods adjacent to the city center. The project has achieved Platinum-level LEED® Building Design and Construction certification and pursues both environmental and social sustainability objectives, aimed at both the well-being of people and positive integration into the surrounding urban context.

Uffici CRIF21 - ©Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica

The architectural concept is inspired by the lines of the lot and the arrangement of the volumes within it, resulting in a unique space that features an interplay of additions and subtractions, with particular attention paid to the composition of the surrounding urban elements. The high-performance envelope consists of a ventilated façade made of ceramic panels, with a regular mesh of tall and narrow openings, alternated with completely glazed portions located at the entrance lobby and overlooking the central green courtyard. The courtyard also extends beyond the complex, as the south-east side of the plan does not have the first three levels, creating a sort of bridge, the soffit of which is emphasized by a mirrored cladding. The green courtyard reduces the urban heat island effect, while the generous transparencies provide the interior spaces with abundant natural light, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption and the building’s overall environmental impact.

The use of materials with a low environmental impact, the recycling of most of the waste from the demolition and construction phases, and the use of renewable energy sources, like multifunctional heat pumps and a photovoltaic pergola on the roof, as well as the recovery and reuse of rainwater and graywater, all contribute to the environmental objectives of the project. Metal radiant panels and fan coils recessed in the floor are used for indoor air conditioning; LED lighting with DALI technology reduces lighting pollution, thanks to sensors that automatically turn off the lights if no one is there.

Uffici CRIF21 - ©Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica

From the outset, the design of the building paid particular attention to maximizing interior comfort. Upon entering the building, employees and visitors are welcomed into the double-height lobby, an inviting environment characterized by a dramatic chandelier placed above the reception counter and a glass sculpture with organic forms.

Floors one through four host private offices, open spaces, and meeting rooms organized dynamically, in order to foster collaboration and connection. The workspaces are flexible and adaptable to the needs of those using them, thanks to the presence of glass technical walls that alternate with opaque panels. The color palette of the rooms is neutral, with the exception of some brightly colored round poufs.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The access control system from dormakaba’s Argus line has been installed in the garages located on the basement level. With elegant lines and high-quality materials, the Argus gates blend harmoniously into any context, offering discreet and efficient entrance control. The advanced technology of this solution guarantees safe and uninterrupted pedestrian flow, even for people with reduced motor abilities, and is ideal for both public and private buildings.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | On the rooftop terrace, four bioclimatic Brera pergolas from Pratic offer protection from sun exposure and can completely open to the sky thanks to retractable sunshade blades.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | Starting from the design choices, great attention was paid to ensuring optimum climatic comfort within the offices. Coiver Cladding (a company of Coiver Group) proved to be the ideal partner for achieving this goal, suppling the ventilated façades, curtain walls, and windows and doors.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The color palette of warm, golden tones and the ceiling lights, like suspended jewels, embellish the entrance hall.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The large windows provide the reception area with generous lighting. The waiting spaces are set up with generously sized upholstered seating located near round coffee tables, while an imposing glass sculpture resembling a block of ice draws attention.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | Mitsubishi Electric supplied two Climaveneta-branded outdoor multifunctional units with full inverter technology for the climatization needs of the CRIF21 offices. Thanks to the presence of two independent hydronic surfaces, these units can meet hot and chilled water demands simultaneously, with a system that does not require seasonal switching and therefore constitutes a valid alternative to traditional chiller and boiler-based systems.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The architects chose Garofoli products to meet security and comfort needs while also maintaining the formal rigor that characterizes the project. The selected products include the Filomuro pivot doors in the Tutto Vetro model with Madras® glass (pictured) and glass sliding doors in the Essential model. The company also supplied interior doors coordinated with fire doors – the white lacquered Filomuro doors and the REI30 and REI60 Filomuro in the same finish, respectively – as well as a series of

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The workstations are arranged in a symmetrical manner and are punctuated by glass partitions decorated with geometric patterns. The natural light streaming in through the large windows and the technical ceiling lighting ensure visual comfort.

CRIF21 Office Building - © Daniele Domenicali, courtesy Politecnica | The workspaces include private offices, open spaces with ergonomic workstations, meeting rooms, and lounges. All the environments adapt to different needs, such as the areas dedicated to informal meetings, enhanced by large colorful ottomans.

Location: Bologna, Italy
Client: CRIF Completion: 2023
Gross Floor Area: 10,470 m²
Architect and Interior Designer: Politecnica
Main Contractor: Colombo Costruzioni

Consultants
Geological Investigations: Studio Mattioli
Greenery: Studio Silva

Photography: Daniele Domenicali, courtesy of Politecnica

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