Rome – Italy
Progetto Creativo
The Italian Society of Authors and Publishers (SIAE) started an important refurbishment for the historical headquarters in via della Letteratura in Roma EUR, a district of a strong architectural and urban identity. The building formerly known to be the Data Elaboration Center (CED) has a surface area of approximately 2,000 square meters spread out in two floors. The restyling by NEXT Urban Solutions aimed to fulfill the modern requirements of a functional, flexible and sustainable work place that could be adapted to a smart working organization and reach the employees’ well-being.
One of the main interventions was the full arrangement of the indoor divisions, so as to have more free and open spaces. This created a visual and physical connection between the environments, which simplifies the movements for both workers and visitors. Specifically, the central small cloister was initially imagined as an external space, but then it turned into a wide covered atrium with a transparent glass structure. This resulted in a bright and welcoming environment which serves to blend and welcome the new offices.
Furthermore, the glass division also keeps a visual connection between the different work areas, giving transparency and opening without erasing privacy. This approach towards the organization of spaces follows the principles of the smart office design, in which the flexibility of environments and the quality of interpersonal relationships are at the center.
The philosophy of smart office design is the key of the project by NEXT Urban Solutions for SIAE. Work spaces are not only functional, but designed to nourish the workers’ psychophysical well-being. The indoors are wide, open and bright because of the glass surface area which lets the natural light in. This not only improves people’s state of mind and productivity, but helps decreasing the use of artificial light, saving a significant amount of energy.
The attention to well-being is also clear in the furniture choice and work stations setting. The desks and ergonomic chairs were selected to offer the maximum comfort for the long working hours. Moreover, the space was designed to support the cooperation and ideas exchange through the common areas where people can meet, share and create. This combination of work and informal spaces, such as the relax zone, makes the office more pleasant and stimulating.
One of the key goals of the refurbishment project is providing sustainable solutions that can improve the efficiency of energy saving and decrease the environmental impact. The new glass facade counts on high-performance materials which can guarantee a great thermal insulation. This reduces the usual requirement for heating in winter and cooling in summer, therefore it decreases the energy consumption altogether.
The materials weren’t picked up randomly. As a matter of fact, environmentally compatible and renewable products were selected to ensure the durability through time without compromising the aesthetic quality of the building. In addition to this, particular glass facades enhance the natural light, which seeps into the building during the day, while limiting the dazzle and excessive heat of the indoor spaces at the same time.
Additionally, the smart lighting and air-conditioning systems make possible to monitor and regulate the consumption in real time. This guarantees an excellent environmental comfort with the bare minimum energetic waste.
One of the most innovative elements of the project are the “hybrid” spaces, where work and relax fuse together. These areas were designed to offer a comforting space where employees can take a break, recharge and find their focus back. Well designed relax spaces in the work place have proven to have a positive impact on the workers’ productivity and general well-being.
The approach of the project puts the people’s well-being at the center. By doing so, working peacefully and creatively, but also socializing and relaxing becomes possible. The wide common spaces and the green areas integrated to the project offer a pleasant feeling of opening while having the perfect connection between the indoor spaces and the outdoor.
The project of refurbishment of the previous CED does not represent a simple restyling, but a wider vision on the future of the workspace. In this way, the office becomes a place that encourages innovation, learning and cooperation, where workers can be part of a dynamic and stimulating context.
To sum it up, the restyling of the building formerly known as CED of the SIAE headquarters of Roma Eur by NEXT Urban Solutions embraces a holistic approach of contemporary architecture in which functionality, aesthetic and sustainability coexist harmoniously. This intervention not only has improved the efficiency and comfort of work spaces, but has also created an innovative and welcoming environment projected into the future.
Architectural design:
NEXT Urban Solutions with arch. Pierluigi Grilli and arch. Luca Milan
Work done by:
Dicos Works
Grafitec
Palmucci Joinery
