Laboratories and R&D Centre, TenarisDalmine, Dalmine, Italy

Program: offices, laboratories and R&D centre
Size: 3,700 sqm
Status: completed in 2008

The 1904 shed, with no more industrial production in it, had a large and well-proportioned inner space, a very elegant and slim steel structure, and great zenith natural light.
The lack of use would inevitably have implied expensive maintenance with no return, a gradual neglect and possible demolition. It consequently surged as a rational option the idea of settling the new Research & Development inside the shed instead of building from scratch.
Surfaces fitted perfectly and we decided to go for a “constructions inside another construction” scheme. The idea was to create an inner landscape shaped by the three-floor building for researchers’ offices, the garden, the one-floor building for laboratories and the yard for samples preparation, all under a common roof.