Peter Pichler Architecture unveils the recently completed Bonfiglioli Headquarters located on the outskirts of Bologna. This cutting-edge facility showcases Bonfiglioli’s commitment to sustainability in industrial automation and renewable energy solutions, and marks a significant milestone in the EVO project, the largest industrial complex of the Bonfiglioli Group in Italy.
Rethinking The Future Awards 2024
Third Award | Office building (Built)
Project Name: Bonfiglioli Headquarters
Category: Office Building
Studio Name: Peter Pichler Architecture
Design Team: Peter Pichler, Ugo Licciardi, Niklas Knap, Simona Alu, Filippo Ogliani, Cem Ozbasaran, Giovanni Paterlini, Domenico Calabrese, Nathalia Rotelli, Angela Ferrari, Alessandro Cardellini, Simone Valbusa, Alexander Kellner
Area: 6.200 sqm
Year: 2024
Location: Calderara di Reno, Bologna / Italy
Structure & MEP: ARUP
Electrical engineering: ARUP
Façade planning: Pichler Projects
Fire protection: ICS Ingegneria
Acoustic: Solarraum
Site supervision: Studio Taddia
General Contractor: Ing Ferrari, Pichler Projects
Project management Bonfiglioli: Federico Mazzanti, Chiara Persi, Vincenzo Lamanna
Photography: Gustav Willeit
The new headquarters emerges as a modern architectural statement, integrating advanced energy-efficient technologies and a design that embodies the company’s innovative spirit. Central to its conception is a 2.5 MW peak power photovoltaic plant and geothermal heat pumps that set the whole EVO complex on the path to achieving the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standard.“ Our new headquarters is not just a building; it’s a reflection of our dedication to progress and environmental responsibility,” said Sonia Bonfiglioli, President at Bonfiglioli. “Together with Peter Pichler Architecture, we created a space that not only supports our work but also our values.” Bonfiglioli’s new headquarters is not just a place of work but a testament to the potential of sustainable design in the industrial sector. It stands as a model for low-carbon, energyautonomous buildings and embodies the principles of the circular economy, ready to adapt to the evolving needs of the company and its people.
The cornerstone of the design was to incorporate the courtyard typology into the building. This courtyard houses a green garden on the ground floor and enhances natural ventilation through a chimney effect. In response to local sunlight conditions, the building’s roof has been tilted, enlarging the north facade to maximize workspace with indirect natural light while reducing the south facade to improve indoor comfort. It’s almost a celebration of indirect northern light, articulated through the building’s geometry. The south-facing facades and roof of the headquarters are clad in a second skin made from a custom continuous aluminum mesh, which filters intense light and ensures a comfortable indoor environment.
Designed with future flexibility in mind, the building features pillarless spaces and a smart external steel skeleton that characterizes its industrial aesthetic. Inside, the building is a testament to modern workplace design, fostering connectivity and collaboration. The layout is thoughtfully orchestrated, with departments distributed across various levels, for optimal public interaction and synergy with surrounding buildings. Central to the building’s interior is a sculptural spiral staircase, crafted from steel. This striking feature is more than a physical connector between floors; it’s a symbolic vortex of creativity and exchange. The staircase invites a continuous flow of ideas, mirroring the dynamic pulse of the building’s inhabitants.
The building places a special emphasis on health and well-being, incorporating green spaces and maximizing indirect natural light to enhance the work environment. Its unique sloped roof design culminates in six terraces, all oriented towards the south. These terraces provide serene outdoor spaces for reflection and pause, offering views of the iconic Santuario Madonna di San Luca church. This connection to the outdoors, together with the views, enriches the daily experience of those who work there.
