Veralia Lab | Armellino & Poggio Architetti Associati

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Verallia, part of the St Gobain’s Group, is the brand responsible for the design and production of glass for food packaging. In Italy the company boasts 6 plants, with Dego’s one recently redesigned to include a laboratory for the design and realisation of glass and jars prototypes.
Verallia’s Lab aims to offer a versatile environment which include: a multimedia working station, where to work in liaison with the client; a meeting room to guest around 10 to12 people; a show room, where the prototypes are displayed; and the possibility to convert the entire venue into a conference hall with audiovisual facilities and multimedia capabilities.
Eco-friendliness and sustainability are paramount to Verallia’s Group project design.
The design simplicity and the employment of natural materials, like the wooden strip finishing allowed for the realisation and maintenance of a low-cost architectural design. Thanks to their coating the walls feature a high degree of insulation. Hence, ensuring thermal efficiency and sound proofing throughout the building. The structure has virtually no openings other than a slit towards the green, in line with the entrance. Natural light is totally gained through 9 skylights, positioned right above the main hall. Last but not least, cooling and heating systems, together with hot water supply, are aided by a solar panelling system.
The rectangular shaped plan houses the great multipurpose hall. The versatility of the hall is given by the way in which the systems are run, that is: through the false ceilings and under the floors, allowing perfect interaction between the building architectural design and its systems.
Access to the structure is solely gained via a prism shaped tunnel, created in exposed steel concrete, that protrudes outwards as a unique extension to the building. Its horizontal wooden slats finish provides a ventilated façade that works in terms of energy efficiency and also aesthetic, as it fits perfectly with the natural occurring landscape (characterised by greenery and tall poplars). Being a natural material, wood bestows great aging abilities and aesthetic appeal, by virtue. Its colouring also varies as it is susceptible to weather and seasonal changes, hence keeping constantly in line with the local surrounding. Green back lit glass panels (in size 25x25 cm) accompany the outer wooden strips finish adding aesthetic value to the façade and creating an interesting night light effect.