Italcementi i.lab
ITALCEMENTI I.LAB
Richard Meier & Partners
ARCHITECTS
Richard Meier & Partners
LOCATION
Bergamo Province of Bergamo, Italy
CATEGORY
Institutional Buildings
DESIGN PRINCIPALS
Richard Meier, Dukho Yeon
PROJECT ARCHITECTS
Vivian Lee, Simone Ferracina
PROJECT YEAR
2013
PHOTOGRAPHS
Scott Frances
MANUFACTURERS
Guardian Glass
Italcementi i.lab is prominently positioned at the eastern end of the Kilometro Rosso Scientific Technology Park in Bergamo, Italy.
The building addresses the LEED rating system including sustainable sites, water efficiency, design and innovation, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
The V-shaped building reinforces the boundaries of the triangular site and incorporates a program of technical and administrative spaces into two wings that surround a central courtyard. The interior organization of the laboratory wing responds to the highly specific functional requirements of the program. A simple structural grid and a central circulation corridor allow efficient and flexible layouts for various sectors.
The south wing houses conference rooms, a two-story multipurpose hall and a sky-lit board room that cantilevers over the second floor. Additional below-grade courtyards provide fresh air and natural light to basement-level laboratory and mechanical spaces.
The roof of the structure forms a virtual fifth façade perforated with a system of skylights directing natural light into offices, circulation corridors, and laboratory spaces and animate the interiors with the changing natural light.
The implementation of an innovative high-strength, white reinforced concrete developed by Italcementi specifically for this structure will significantly abate pollution caused by car emissions and industrial activities.
The white TX Active® concrete reacts with ultraviolet rays breaking down harmful pollutants. In line with the firm’s continual efforts to address issues of energy conservation and environmental performance, the building uses high-performance custom facades, low-e insulated clear glass, and incorporates geothermal and renewable solar energy systems.
Photovoltaic panels, solar panels and geothermal wells provide close to total energy self-sufficiency, meeting all of the building’s heating and cooling requirements. We first began working with Italcementi and with its President, Mr. Carlo Pesenti, while designing the Jubilee Church in Rome.
The Church was initially designed to be poured in place white concrete, but in conjunction with Italcementi we concluded that 12 ton white pre-cast concrete panels would be a better way to execute the design.
The white concrete developed by Italcementi and now used in the construction of the i.lab building in Bergamo is self-cleaning and therefore will always be white.
With Italcementi, we have worked together to create a new office and research building for the 21st century – a landmark that upholds and builds upon the country’s architectural tradition. The Italcementi i.lab reinforces our firm’s commitment to accessible, open and sustainable architecture.
