Continuity of colour and material

The historic Novellara headquarters of Sag Tubi, a company specialising in the production of metal and rubber pipes, was in need of alterations and architectural upgrading in order to meet new functional requirements. Furthermore, it had a classic office layout, with equipped and partially glazed walls with a cherry-coloured finish that made for a dark and unappealing work environment.
The expansion and renovation work assigned to architect Ingrid Fontanili led to the creation of a compact and well-proportioned building consisting of a cluster of primary volumes arranged around a central core. Externally the complex stands out for its large windows which allow plenty of natural light to enter, while the textured surfaces of the ceramic tiles vary from volume to volume but maintain an elegant balance of colours. The main façade is complemented by an arcade system (consisting of a series of metal structures supporting the sunshade elements) which connects to the adjacent new building.
The interior design, aimed at creating a bright, comfortable and functional workplace, maintains the materials and colours chosen for the elevations. The large double-volume lobby serves as the distribution hub and is dominated by the visually striking presence of the stairway connecting the three office levels. Separated by glazed partitions, the work spaces are visually interconnected while maintaining adequate standards of privacy and confidentiality.
The layout has been completely redefined in terms of the distribution solutions and the choice of materials and finishings, and uses different coloured furnishings to highlight the various functions of the offices. The new image is also promoted by the use of new lighting systems and furnishing accessories. A key role in determining the environmental quality of the spaces is played by the floor and wall covering materials, which consist of large-format (1000×3000 mm) ceramic panels from Laminam, Kotan series in colour Grey. Inspired by the matt surface of raw concrete, the Kotan series embodies the minimalist appeal of the architectural tradition of Kyoto. The textures combine the essentiality typical of Japanese culture and the artisanal maceration treatment of washi paper, allowing the surface to project a sense of peace and purity.
The exterior envelope of the building has likewise been clad with thin large-format panels (also produced by Laminam), which create a sense of material continuity and harmonious colour. The main collection used on the façade is the Fokos series, Terra colour, which references the soft colours present in nature. It is used in conjunction with the I Metalli collection, texture Plumbeo Ossidato, whose surfaces reflect traditional artisanal techniques reproduced through in-depth technological and stylistic research.