After 3 years of development, Italian architecture firm Frigerio Design Group has completed fashion brand Zamasport’s new headquarters, a fabric-inspired building that is mostly powered with solar energy. Designed to follow the architecture firm’s philosophy of “slow architecture,” the sustainably minded headquarters prioritizes energy efficiency and worker wellness with the use of natural light, acoustic comfort and greenery incorporated throughout the building. The use of renewable energy systems, passive design principles and energy-efficient technologies has helped the Zamasport headquarters meet NZEB (Near Zero Energy Building) standards.
Located at the center of an industrial complex, the new 3,700-square-meter headquarters serves as a “hinge” between the existing buildings and is connected to neighboring departments via glazed corridors. The 10-meter-tall multifunctional building houses offices, workshops and meeting rooms in the front with warehouse facilities in the rear. The ground floor is dedicated to production facilities, such as the cutting department, while the first floor, which frames views of two internal suspended gardens, comprises the main office spaces with meeting rooms and break areas.
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Taking inspiration from Zamasport’s work in the fashion industry, the architects created a facade evocative of fabric. Three sides of the building are enclosed in prefabricated, colored concrete panels — engineered with thermal breaks and ventilation — that mimic the pleats and folds of clothing. The main facade is completely glazed with vertical, curvilinear sunshades meant to evoke strips of hanging fabric.
To meet NZEB standards, the architects equipped the Zamasport HQ with a photovoltaic system capable of producing up to 50,000 kWh per year as well as a radiant heating and cooling system. Passive design principles and energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lights and sensors, help reduce the building’s energy usage. A Building Automation system monitors the mechanical and electrical systems at all times.
Photography by Mario Frusca via Frigerio Design Group
