Montorso Vicentino (VI), Italy
Designed by 3ndyStudio for Faeda, the world leader in leather production, the new headquarters addition in northern Italy merges clean lines with green spaces for an eye-catching and sustainable building.
Faeda is a company in the tanning sector and a world leader in the production of leather.
Thanks to its creativity, the ability to transform the raw material, and the experience accumulated over many years, it collaborates with the major brands in the fashion world.
In 2017, the company announced a competition for the design of its new avant-garde headquarters, based on sustainability, and enhancing the environment and the well-being of employees.
This competition was won by the 3ndy team, and the project involved the removal of the North/West corner of the existing production building to create a new volume intended to house the company’s executive and administrative offices.
The architects were faced with the challenge of merging the former with the new, with the opportunity to create a new building that meets today’s office standards.
The outside west wall’s movement created a new block, separate and independent from the former building, increasing the soundproofing and thus generating a more comfortable workplace surrounded by greenery.
Employees feel immersed in greenery, thanks to the installation of a vertical garden located on the west facade of the production building.
Another green area is located near the representative entrance in front of the main facade further emphasizing the feeling of working surrounded by greenery.
In order to facilitate the panoramic view’s effect and increase the visual depth, all the walls, internal and external, were chosen to be made of glass.
A suspended bridge on the first floor, also glazed, connects the new building with the adjacent production area.
To protect the external wide windows, a shutter system for shading made with metallic elements was developed, whose full-height wraps the building and protects it from the sunlight while keeping the visual permeability toward the surrounding environment.
The design of the shading wall finds its inspiration in leather fringes, the raw material which the company is producing.
The building is spread over four floors, three of which are above ground.
Changing rooms have been located in the basement serving the employees of the production section.
On the ground floor near the main entrance, one finds the hall with the reception, which gives access to various reception rooms for receiving customers.
The upper floors, intended for administrative and executive offices, contain a garden on the mezzanine floor and a break area located on the first floor.
The staircase serving all floors is located near the triple-height hall.
Inspired by a band of leather that runs centrally to the “ramp,” becoming its load-bearing element, it is the centerpiece of the project with great visual impact.
The project also features work by the Italian artist and sculptor Giorgio Milano, with which 3ndy Studio has worked with in the past creating important works.
The artist, who become particularly famous for his “Poetari” assemblages of typeface with wood or stone, has filled the entrance hall with his works.
Project: Faeda Headquarters
Architects: 3ndyStudio
Client: Faeda SpA
Photographer: Fernando Guerra
