Seeking to relate to the Tuscan landscape. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura
04/03/2022.
"Progetto Italia" [Barberino Tavarnelle] Italy
metalocus, JAVIER ARIAS
metalocus, JAVIER ARIAS
Italian architecture practice GEZA, led by Stefano Gri and Piero Zucchi, had completed the new headquarters of Furla, a well-known up-market designer and manufacturer of women’s handbags, footwear and leather articles.
Close to the road between Florence and Siena, in Barberino Tavarnelle, a commune in the metropolitan area of Florence, in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 25 kilometres south of Florence, grow a set of volumes sit on a natural slope down into a valley.
Paying attention to the surrounding landscape GEZA designed the buildings using black and dark grey colours, both standing out and blending into the natural landscape.
Close to the road between Florence and Siena, in Barberino Tavarnelle, a commune in the metropolitan area of Florence, in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 25 kilometres south of Florence, grow a set of volumes sit on a natural slope down into a valley.
Paying attention to the surrounding landscape GEZA designed the buildings using black and dark grey colours, both standing out and blending into the natural landscape.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Rendering by Nudesign.
Roof plan. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
Ground floor plan. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
-1 floor plan. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
-2 floor plan. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
+1, 2, 3 floor plans. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
East and West elevations. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
North and South elevations. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
Sections. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
Section, detail. Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura.
GEZA designed the first volume in the sequence close to the road, but largely hidden from it, as an elongated building running parallel to the road, housing the main entrance and spaces dedicated to company relations with its clients and other companies. On the two floors, study and meeting rooms are interspersed by full-height patios which introduce greenery into the building on the side facing the road while large glazed openings look out over the Tuscan landscape on the other.
Together with this, an almost square block and behind that, two other volumes, which together form a smaller square block. Both volumes for labs and logistics.
Together with this, an almost square block and behind that, two other volumes, which together form a smaller square block. Both volumes for labs and logistics.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Furla Headquarters by GEZA Architettura. Photograph by Fernando Guerra.
Project description by GEZA Architettura
The new Furla Headquarters is located in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence, immersed in the Chianti area. The project highlights a paramount theme: the integration of industrial architecture into the Italian landscape, providing an opportunity to rethink the quality of the workspace.
Architecture and nature are perfectly blended along all directions to create a unique element where the design and the Chianti landscape (defined by hills, heritage, and agricultural areas) communicate harmoniously.
The Furla factory covers 42,000 sq m of soil - 18,300 sq m built - and has three main volumes (one for offices, two for labs and logistics) designed to be harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape, without too much contrast. Architecture and nature coexist in a functional balance.
The morphology of the land is truly taken into consideration and is enhanced through three fundamental elements – the driveway, the terraces, and Piazza Furla – which define clear areas around the building volumes. Thanks to a system of patios and green roofs overlooking the wooded area, nature crosses the boundaries between inside and outside. The main entrance recalls the archetype of Tuscan villa access: a linear row of cypresses welcoming visitors and showing the way through. This rhythm is replicated on the facade of the buildings with sunscreen filtering blades.
The entrance to the offices, with the double-height reception and the large open-air hall, becomes the point where the boundaries between architecture and landscape merge. The interiors have been designed in such a way as to have real layout flexibility. The orderly sequence of offices is punctuated by green patios, or relationship spaces.
Nature is a prominent element, not just because of its beauty (Chianti hills), but also because it creates a pleasant environment once blended into the building: patios, green coverings, and natural light contribute to a more sustainable working habitat, where people can also relax and enjoy contact with nature.
Finally, sustainability plays a key role in this project, which has been designed to comply with green energy best practices.
More information
Architects
GEZA Architettura. Lead architects.- Stefano Gri and Piero Zucchi.
Design team
Project leaders.- Arch. Alessia Dorigo, Arch. Marjana Dedaj. Architects.- Stefania Anzil, Elisa Mansutti, Beatrice Pellos, Francesco Tessaro, Giulia Marcon, Roberto Pasquali.
Collaborators
Coordination.- Clemens Kusch - CFK Architetti.
Structural Design and Supervision of Works.- Biagini Studio di Ingegneria (Arezzo). Ing. Piero Bracciali, Ing. Alessandro Fei, Arch. Francesco Misuri, Ing. Matteo Ciofini, Ing. Adrian Burca, Ing. Alessandro Blanc, Geom. Paolo Renzoni, Arch. Pietro Pagliardini (test).
Landscape Design.- LAND Italia (Milano), Andreas Kipar (project leader), Valerio Bozzoli (senior agronomist), Arch. Luisa Bellini (senior architect), Arch. Andrea Occhetti (senior architect), Arch. Cecilia Ricci, Arch. Francesca Villa, Arch. Laura Mantegazza, Landscape Arch. Gianna Galgani.
Structural Plan.- Consilium Servizi d’Ingegneria (Firenze), Ing. Paolo Pietro Bresci (mechanical structure project management), p.i. Marco Cellini (electrical and special structure project management).
Acoustic engineering.- Sacha Slim Bouhageb.
Geologist.- ProGeo Engineering srl.
Structural Design and Supervision of Works.- Biagini Studio di Ingegneria (Arezzo). Ing. Piero Bracciali, Ing. Alessandro Fei, Arch. Francesco Misuri, Ing. Matteo Ciofini, Ing. Adrian Burca, Ing. Alessandro Blanc, Geom. Paolo Renzoni, Arch. Pietro Pagliardini (test).
Landscape Design.- LAND Italia (Milano), Andreas Kipar (project leader), Valerio Bozzoli (senior agronomist), Arch. Luisa Bellini (senior architect), Arch. Andrea Occhetti (senior architect), Arch. Cecilia Ricci, Arch. Francesca Villa, Arch. Laura Mantegazza, Landscape Arch. Gianna Galgani.
Structural Plan.- Consilium Servizi d’Ingegneria (Firenze), Ing. Paolo Pietro Bresci (mechanical structure project management), p.i. Marco Cellini (electrical and special structure project management).
Acoustic engineering.- Sacha Slim Bouhageb.
Geologist.- ProGeo Engineering srl.
Client
Furla FC Immobiliare spa.
Client supervision.- Dott. Andrea Varini.
Client supervision.- Dott. Andrea Varini.
Contractor
Bruschi srl, Arezzo (excavations and earth movement).
Frassinago - Gardens and Landscape, Bologna (exteriors and green roofs).
Baraclit spa, Arezzo (Prefabricated).
Pichler Projects srl, Bolzano (Facades and windows).
Impernovo srl, Modena (Waterproofing).
Fabbri Services srl, Arezzo (Building works and finishes).
Frassinago - Gardens and Landscape, Bologna (exteriors and green roofs).
Baraclit spa, Arezzo (Prefabricated).
Pichler Projects srl, Bolzano (Facades and windows).
Impernovo srl, Modena (Waterproofing).
Fabbri Services srl, Arezzo (Building works and finishes).
Area
Area of intervention.- 42,000 sqm.
Building Area.- 11,000 sqm.
Total Built Area.- 18,300 sqm.
Production.- 15,500 sqm.
Offices.- 2,800 sqm.
Terraces and green roofs.- 1,200 sqm.
Freight area and outdoor parking.- 7,700 sqm.
Green Area.- 23,000 sqm.
Building Area.- 11,000 sqm.
Total Built Area.- 18,300 sqm.
Production.- 15,500 sqm.
Offices.- 2,800 sqm.
Terraces and green roofs.- 1,200 sqm.
Freight area and outdoor parking.- 7,700 sqm.
Green Area.- 23,000 sqm.
Dates
Design phase.- 2017-2018.
Construction.- 2018-2021.
Construction.- 2018-2021.
Manufacturers
Balneario Ing. Ferrari, Módena (Plantas).
ZR Light srl, Florencia (Luces).
VetroIn srl, Brescia (Sistema de paredes).
Balneario Graniti Fiandre, Reggio Emilia (Cerámica).
Deana snc, Udine (Productos de hormigón).
Baglini Group srl, Pisa (Ascensores).
Multitema srl, Udine (Muebles).
Della Chiara srl, Pesaro Urbino (Muebles).
Servicio Gráfico snc, Udine (Insignia).
ZR Light srl, Florencia (Luces).
VetroIn srl, Brescia (Sistema de paredes).
Balneario Graniti Fiandre, Reggio Emilia (Cerámica).
Deana snc, Udine (Productos de hormigón).
Baglini Group srl, Pisa (Ascensores).
Multitema srl, Udine (Muebles).
Della Chiara srl, Pesaro Urbino (Muebles).
Servicio Gráfico snc, Udine (Insignia).
Location
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Firenze, Italy.
Photography
Gri e Zucchi Architetti associati GEZA
GEZA is based in Udine (Italy) and it works in partnership with MTD - Marc Thorpe Design (New York) and CFK Architetti (Venezia). Stefano Gri and Piero Zucchi founded the practice Geza - Gri e Zucchi Architetti Associati in Udine in 1999. The most important projects completed recently are Furla Headquarters (Furla Progetto Italia, 2021), Pratic (Pratic 1.0, 2011 + Pratic 2.0, 2018), Faber Cylinders (2013) and Bosch/Freud (2018). Furthermore, another mention must be done for the award-winning project Silk-Faw EV (2021) and Capua1880 Headquarters (2021). In addition to the residential and housing projects, GEZA designed the setting-up of the New Craft Exhibition (2016, Fabbrica del Vapore, Triennale di Milano) and Casa della Musica (2010, Cervignano del Friuli).
Amongst the multiple international awards, GEZA won the American Architecture Prize (2019), Pratic Headquarters and Production Complex (2011, Fagagna - Udine) and House of music (2010, Cervignano del Friuli - Udine). In 2015, GEZA was awarded Architetto Italiano 2015 (Special Jury Award) announced by the Italian Council of Architects. In 2012, Pratic Headquarters and Production Complex won the private client category, announced by the Triennale of Milan. The same project was presented at the XIII Biennale of Architecture of Venice in the Padiglione Italia “Made in Italy”.
Stefano Gri (born in Udine in 1963) graduated as an Architect at IUAV, Venice, in 1988 and has been registered in the Roll of Architects of Udine (Italy) since 1990. After several vocational experiences in Italy, he moved to Barcelona, Spain to work with the practice of architects Tonet Sunyer + Jordi Badia in 1992. Since 2009 teaches Architectural Design at the University of Trieste.
Piero Zucchi (born in Udine in 1965) graduated as an Architect at IUAV, Venice, in 1992. He then studied at ETSA in Seville, Spain and attended a Masterclass with Rem Koolhaas at BIA in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1994. He has been registered in the Roll of Architects of Udine (Italy) since 1993. He worked with Studio Valle Architetti Associati in Udine from 1993 to 1998. Since 2009 teaches Architectural Design at the University of Trieste.
Amongst the multiple international awards, GEZA won the American Architecture Prize (2019), Pratic Headquarters and Production Complex (2011, Fagagna - Udine) and House of music (2010, Cervignano del Friuli - Udine). In 2015, GEZA was awarded Architetto Italiano 2015 (Special Jury Award) announced by the Italian Council of Architects. In 2012, Pratic Headquarters and Production Complex won the private client category, announced by the Triennale of Milan. The same project was presented at the XIII Biennale of Architecture of Venice in the Padiglione Italia “Made in Italy”.
Stefano Gri (born in Udine in 1963) graduated as an Architect at IUAV, Venice, in 1988 and has been registered in the Roll of Architects of Udine (Italy) since 1990. After several vocational experiences in Italy, he moved to Barcelona, Spain to work with the practice of architects Tonet Sunyer + Jordi Badia in 1992. Since 2009 teaches Architectural Design at the University of Trieste.
Piero Zucchi (born in Udine in 1965) graduated as an Architect at IUAV, Venice, in 1992. He then studied at ETSA in Seville, Spain and attended a Masterclass with Rem Koolhaas at BIA in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1994. He has been registered in the Roll of Architects of Udine (Italy) since 1993. He worked with Studio Valle Architetti Associati in Udine from 1993 to 1998. Since 2009 teaches Architectural Design at the University of Trieste.
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