Fluid and sustainable work environments: Frigerio Design Group designs an evocative and permeable headquarters for the Italian fashion brand Zamasport. In search of the well-being of employees and the planet

The new Zamasport headquarters in Novara promotes a new relationship between technology, man and the environment. Evocative and sustainable, the architecture designed by Frigerio Design Group interprets a concept of well-being that combines ethics and respect for the environment. Intended to accommodate the production and executive environments - offices, creative ateliers, rehearsal rooms and part of the production - the new building acts as a hinge between the existing buildings.

The outer shell evokes the fabric and the combination of technique and creativity that distinguishes the company's work. Spaces, paths and environments are designed for a better quality of life for employees. Natural light, greenery, acoustic comfort and definition of internal microclimates combine to give shape to functional, pleasant and welcoming environments.

Slow Architecture is an architecture that draws the elements for its definition from the context in which it is inserted. Where the context is understood, however, in a broader sense, as history, society, environment and climate. The term Slow does not mean doing things slowly, but rather with accuracy "

To reduce energy consumption and optimize internal comfort, Frigerio Design Group has worked on maximizing passive performance and reducing active performance. The highly energy-efficient Near Zero Energy Building uses renewable sources for more than half of the total energy requirement.

"Slow Architecture is an architecture that draws the elements for its definition from the context in which it is inserted. Where the context is understood, however, in a broader sense, as history, society, environment and climate. The term Slow does not mean doing things slowly, but rather with accuracy ”, explains Enrico Frigerio. "It is necessary (in architecture, but not only), to start a different process in doing things, where the elements that are taken into consideration can no longer be just those of the economy."

The building is inspired by the fabric, the raw material processed in the company, for its shapes. Curves and sinuosity, folds and counter-folds translate into vibrant and soft surfaces, thanks to natural and industrial materials, enriched with details and processes that ennoble and qualify the image."

The building is inspired by the fabric, the raw material processed in the company, for its shapes. Curves and sinuosity, folds and counter-folds translate into vibrant and soft surfaces, thanks to natural and industrial materials, enriched with details and processes that ennoble and qualify the image. The volume of the building is closed on three sides, made with prefabricated concrete panels with self-cleaning colored photocatalytic cement paste. The surface is made with a formwork that reproduces the vertical drapery of a fabric, giving the hardness of the concrete a touch of apparent softness. The main facade is completely glazed: a sunshade with curved vertical strips contributes to the sensation of lightness given by the transparencies.

To reduce energy consumption and optimize sensory comfort, an integrated design of the "building-plant" system was created, focusing on maximizing passive performances and reducing active ones. In indoor environments, a mixed system - static and air - is used to reduce the speed of internal air flows and maintain an optimal temperature. For the lighting, LED fixtures with high efficiency and color rendering were chosen, adjustable with a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface home automation system, interfaced with a Konnex system. A complete Building Automation system, with detection of thermohygrometric conditions in all environments, of the state and anomalies of all equipment, manages the mechanical and electrical systems. The building is equipped with a photovoltaic system with a power of 50 kWp and an annual production of 50,000 kWh.

Photographers: Mario Frusca, Daniele Bona