From an inconspicuous commercial property on Via Cavour in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, the architecture firm, Monovolume, has created an exhilarating work environment – with many platforms, stairs, bridges and a mixture of industrial charm and minimalist chic.
Bolzano, Italy
Originally consisting of a 140 m2 basement and a ground floor of the same size, with windows only at the front, the main problem with the existing spaces was the lighting. The planners solved this by completely removing the concrete suspended ceiling and instead inserting a steel girder structure with different levels connected to create an exciting web-like design. This does away with the traditional concept of storeys and channels daylight directly into all of the areas through the enlarged window at the front.
The newly created layout, with its various levels and recesses, offers glimpses of both the inside and outside and boasts meeting rooms, open work areas, a waiting area and a large communal area. In terms of design, the architects combined light-coloured floors, many transparent glass walls and light-coloured wooden ceilings with individual structural accents, such as the old remnants of concrete beams painted in dark colours, and surface-mounted electrical installations.
Energy efficiency was also a top priority: the office is ‘KlimaHaus R’-certified. This is ensured, among other things, by the integration of all building service functions, such as heating and air conditioning, electricity and lighting, which are operated by a smart control system. The elegant switches from the Gira Studio surface-mounted series and the System 106 for door communication tie in with this. The result is a convincing revitalisation in the heart of the city.