Salewa’s Outdoor Sportswear Headquarters Boasts Italy’s Largest Climbing Wall

Outdoor sportswear manufacturer <a href="http://www.salewa.com/" target="_blank">Salewa</a> recently built an amazing new green headquarters in Bolzano, Italy complete with a giant indoor climbing gym! Covered in a perforated aluminum skin, Salewa's new home is befitting of a company dedicated to spending time in nature. Designed by <a href="http://www.zucchiarchitetti.com/" target="_blank">Cino Zucchi Architetti</a> and <a href="http://www.parkassociati.com/Site.html?lang=EN" target="_blank">Park Associati</a>, the headquarters is like a giant shimmering rock set next to the mountains. Plus, the building is topped off with a huge solar photovoltaic system that generates 520,000 kWh of electricity every year.

<a href="http://www.salewa.com/company/new-headquarter-in-bolzano" target="_blank">Salewa's headquarters</a> are located next to the mountains in Bolzano, Italy.

As the company designs and manufacturers equipment and sportswear dedicated to the outdoors, Salewa was also committed to having a low impact facility.

Inside, the new facility houses marketing and administration offices as well as the company's research centre for product development, a fully automated warehouse system, public parking facility, and in-house kindergarten.

The energy efficient building is directly inspired by the surrounding landscape as well as the environment.

Designed to look like a shimmering rock or a mountain range, the building is formed by a series of multi-faceted slabs and towers.

The exterior is covered in a micro-perforated aluminum skin, which protects most of the exposed parts of the building, but still lets sunshine in.

In addition, the building lays claim to Italy’s largest climbing hall with a climbing area of 2,000 m2 and more than 90 climbing routes.

A portion of the roof is covered in a 450 kW photovoltaic system that eliminates 335 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.

In addition, energy efficient climate control, heat energy recovery, natural ventilation, daylighting and other strategies help reduce the overall impact.

“It is our philosophy that quality and style should be expressed in everything that makes the brand visible, audible and tangible – in other words, liveable,” <a href="http://www.salewa.com/company/new-headquarter-in-bolzano" target="_blank">says</a> Reiner Gerstner, Brand and Marketing Director.

“It is a philosophy that is equally evident in our new headquarters.”

Entrance of Salewa Headquarters.

A close up look into Italy's largest climbing gym.