#COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
geza creates headquarters for faber industrie in udine, italy
the ‘faber headquarters’, for italian steel cylinder manufacturer faber industrie, sits on the edge of industrial park and farmland near udine, italy.
it’s unique location directly affected the design, completed by geza, who wanted to include both industry and nature within.
consisting of about 2,800m2 above ground (1,400m2 underground), the ‘headquarters’ is anything but small; yet in relation to adjacent structures, it’s size is barely comparable. two shifted, longitudinal volumes linked by a long hallway comprise the site. as a result of the U-like shape, two ‘internal’ open spaces are created, one located on either side of the connector.
the two spaces contrast each other directly. one is labelled as ‘hard’, and features dense tree lining and a large concrete plaza with seating. opposite, is a ‘soft’ expanse, which was left largely untouched and remains green and free. this was done to open visuals eastwards, where the main manufacturing facilities can be seen, as well as mountains near the distant slovenian border.
a ventilated façade of two materials — black concrete and black glass — covers the entirety of all volumes. both walls and glazed cells are horizontal, measuring in at four meters wide and 70 centimeters tall. all are connected using 20 millimeter open joints; the same gap makes an appearance in all installed components.
black was chosen in response to geza’s experimentation with abstract form. although the ‘faber headquarters’ is about 100meters in length, its low-key exterior makes it stand out — in a good way — from its monolithic neighbors. open spaces were additionally lined with hedgerows of black poplars, standing ‘landmarks’ to match the panels. a contoured organization of the trees moves alternatively towards inner and outer boundaries of the courtyards to hide the car park and highlight perspective views.
