Italy’s Tilting Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank Creates its Own Shade

The striking <a href="http://morphopedia.com/projects/hypo-alpe-adria-bank" target="_blank">Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank</a> in Udine, Italy may feature a tilting design reminiscent of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa" target="_blank">Leaning Tower of Pisa</a>, but you can be certain that <a href="http://morphopedia.com/projects/hypo-alpe-adria-bank" target="_blank">Morphosis Architects</a> didn't channel the Pisa Tower's architect. Normally when architects employ <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/30/stylish-super-efficient-swiss-home-wins-the-2010-passivhaus-award/" target="_blank">solar passive design</a>, they build shading devices into the structure to protect the south-facing windows - but not <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/10/giant-pharmaceuticals-campus-by-morphosis/" target="_blank">Morphosis</a>. For the Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank, they tilted the entire building <b>14 degrees</b> to the south so that the upper floors shade the lower floors. In addition to the dramatic tilt, the office features many energy-efficient building strategies that contribute to a happy and healthy working space.

Morphosis designed the building with a dramatic 14 degree tilt to provide shade for the lower levels during the heat of the summer.

The building has a narrow footprint of 14 meters wide, which affords flexibility in the office floor plan while allowing every office access to daylight.

The Hyp Alpe-Adria Bank headquarters is located at the northern edge of Udine, in the town of Tavagnacco.

The 26-acre site includes the main headquarters tower, a sweeping low mass containing the secure archive, a local bank branch, an auditorium, and a parking structure.

The new Hypo headquarters were designed to reflect smart planning and energy efficiency as well as effective utilization of the floor area.

Morphosis worked with the IN.AR.CO engineering group to develop solutions to the criteria set forth by Hypo, especially regarding how to economically and safely construct the building with the dramatic tilt.

Though the building form leans to the south by 14 degrees, the columns are continuous and vertical throughout the structural frame.

Natural daylighting features prominently throughout the building as a result of the narrow footprint and the use of skylights.

Natural daylighting was a key criteria that aims to create a happy, healthy and productive workspace for the employees.

Natural ventilation was achieved through the use of operable windows and cross ventilation within the narrow footprint.

A central core in the tower with skylights at the top holds various criss-crossing stairs and bridges for occupants to move through the space.

The complex series of spaces supports chance encounters and interaction between all users of the building.

Each office in the building is afforded a view of the landscape and operable windows that allow for individual control of the environment.