d+a | Issue 115 • Apr/May 2020

43 Designed with a slight curvature to provide adequate shade, an overhanging glass brick screen wraps around three sides of the building, filtering the light entering the interior and eliminating the need for blinds. The building is made of transparent glass that showcases the views and the air chamber created by the double glass façade efficiently insulates the facility in both summer and winter, resulting in an A+ energy class rating. “For a completely glazed industrial building, this is an exceptional result,” reflects Barluzzi. “Using clear glass to shade the inside of a building is not such a common solution; and making a completely suspended glass wall is even less common.” The expansive L-shaped production floor is the heart of La Manufacture, dedicated to the crafting of Celine’s leather goods. Large windows fill the open-plan area with natural light, while framing inspiring views of the idyllic landscape of vineyards and rolling hills. On the north side of the building, offices and service areas over three floors have minimalist interiors in grey and white. These include a reception area, meeting spaces, a staff canteen and locker rooms. Storage areas in the west are screened with polycarbonate honeycomb panels. The lower level accommodates a 4,000m 2 parking garage, which inventively elevates the facility off the ground. LA MANUFACTURE LOCATION Tuscany, Italy / COMPLETION 2019 / SITE AREA 8,900m 2 / BUILDING AREA 4,400m 2 / GROSS FLOOR AREA 5,400m 2 (4,200m 2 for parking) / ARCHITECT MetroOffice Architetti / LEAD ARCHITECTS Fabio Barluzzi and Barbara Ponticelli / CONSULTANT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS INTERPROFESSIONALE / CONTRACTOR Ing. Ferrari / CONSULTANT FOR STRUCTURAL PROJECT & REINFORCED CONCRETE Politecnica / REVIEW OF STRUCTURAL PROJECT, REINFORCED CONCRETE & CONSULTANT FOR GLASS BRICK FAÇADE Studio Ballardini / CONSULTANT FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Politecnica / REVIEW FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING L2i Engineering and Consulting / QUANTITY SURVEYOR INTERPROFESSIONALE 3. The overhanging glass brick screen is an architectural highlight of the building. / 4. The production floor offers views out to the rolling hills of Tuscany. 4 3