The factory on the lake
The factory on the lake
The enhancement of the lake front was the basic premise for the concept of the architectural project for the extension of the Fantini headquarters designed by architect Piero Lissoni.
On the lake front, where the offices and showroom are located, the strong character of the pre-existing industrial buildings has been maintained. They are painted dark grey, while the interiors are dominated by the luminosity of white, light resin and the transparency of the large glass surfaces, overlooking the extraordinary view of the lake and the island of San Giulio.
The industrial character of the architecture is declared on the outside by the choice of materials: very rough reinforced concrete and concrete slabs for the walkway, a long pedestrian path that creates a dialogue with the water, flanking the river and leading from the entrance to the company towards the lake.
With this project i have realised a dream: to integrate the presence of industry in the environment in a harmonious and perfectly balanced way. Today our headquarters in pella, on the lake front, are recog-nised as being an excellent and highly innovative example of the ability to ensure a felicitous presence of an industrial reality in the natural landscapeWith this project i have realised a dream: to integrate the presence of industry in the environment in a harmonious and perfectly balanced way. Today our headquarters in pella, on the lake front, are recog-nised as being an excellent and highly innovative example of the ability to ensure a felicitous presence of an industrial reality in the natural landscape
One of the main objectives of the project was to harmonise the company’s existing buildings, which were built in successive eras, in architectural terms. The dark grey U-Glass cladding, chosen to cover all the wall surfaces, is like a ‘skin’ that gives the complex and the two main blocks of the factory continuity and visual clarity. A green pergola covers the path that divides the two factory blocks and has the function of integrating the natural elements into the design of the industrial architecture.
The interesting thing about this industrial site on the lake is that the factory already had a lot of energy in it; it was just hidden like an un-cut diamond. We just tried to open the dialogue between what happens outside and what happens inside.The interesting thing about this industrial site on the lake is that the factory already had a lot of energy in it; it was just hidden like an un-cut diamond. We just tried to open the dialogue between what happens outside and what happens inside.
The start of the architectural project and the company’s transformation coincided with the functional reorganisation of production processes and the development of an integrated organisational model that concerns the factory as a whole, in line with the guidelines and principles of lean manufacturing.
The display and work areas establish a synergistic dialogue with the landscape thanks to large glass surfaces, through which the exterior and interior are in visual and physical continuity.
