Valvigna, between architecture and nature

On June 8th 2018, Prada Group presented its industrial headquarters in Valvigna, Tuscany, at the book launch of “Prada Architecture by Guido Canali” edited by Italo Lupi.

There was a discussion between Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group, architects Guido Canali and Italo Lupi, and Fulvio Irace, a professor at Milan Politecnico, about the quality of the workplaces, the garden factories and sustainability.

The Event

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Gallery

the project

For Valvigna, Guido Canali developed and brought to completion several recurrent themes of his work, already partially explored in the two previous projects for Montevarchi and Montegranaro, which, together with the new headquarters, are defined as “garden factories”.

Architect Guido Canali explains: “The huge presence of green spaces, enhanced by stretches of water, together with the function of an energy reserve, is an integral part of the factory. Not exhibited as mere decoration, rather it is set as a condition for the wellbeing of the people who work there. A piece of architecture that rejects gratuitous gestures and exhibitionism but rather is faithful to a critical rigour of rationalist origin. In this way, the fascinating secret gardens, the shady trellises of vitis vinifera, the gleaming ponds do not represent architects’ formal self-indulgence, but rather respect for the dignity and health - also psychic - of those who, within those walls and those gardens, must work there. And therefore inevitably also toil”.

 

During their long-lasting collaboration the Prada Group and the architect, Guido Canali has restored degraded territory and saved the landscape from planned construction.

“With Guido Canali, we developed a ‘common vision’ of how to interpret the factory and its work environment, basing it on three fundamental principles: respect for the workers, a fully synergistic interpretation of the concept of ‘quality without compromises’; and recognition of the importance of details as an expression of efficiency as well as a work culture – not aesthetics as an end in itself”, affirms Patrizio Bertelli, and he adds: “Prada and Guido Canali are precursors of such ethics, cultivating them together over twenty years of collaboration. Both spontaneously introduced these principles at a moment in history in which awareness of these values had not yet been acknowledged as a moral duty. The industrial headquarters in Valvigna, Tuscany, represent an embodiment of these principles. The building is respectful of the place where it belongs; it generates responsible, sustainable efficiency; and attains balance between its architecture and the natural surroundings”.

 

The industrial headquarter in Valvigna includes the production and the development of the Prada and Miu Miu leather goods collections, the warehouses for raw materials, the historical archives of the leather goods and footwear collections, the offices for general services and industrial administration, an auditorium, systems areas and the Prada Group data processing centre.

The structure 93.125 Sqm Total built area
19,000

Sqm covered area

32,431

Sqm total built area

26,606

Sqm main building

3,157

Sqm office building

1,708

Sqm canteen and kitchen

2,960

Sqm physical plant

VALVIGNA BY NUMBERS: 4 BUILDINGS

The main building is composed of two floors with a prefabricated reinforced concrete bearing structure at ground level for the warehousing facilities, and a steel bearing structure on the first floor for the production labs, divided according to brand and product family (Prada Woman, Prada Men, small leather goods and Miu Miu); 

The physical plant hosts the electrical, heating and water plants, with terracing above for long-stalk vegetation;

The office building has three floors with metal cladding, situated behind the main building. The General Secretariat, an Auditorium and Multimedia and Telepresence Rooms are located on the ground floor;

The canteen is a vast bright area with a glass roof surmounted by a pergola, and is adjacent to the office building.

THE GREENERY 20 ton/year CO2 absorbed

29,000

Bushes

8,700

Climbing plants

8,000

Sqm reinforced grass parking

74,000

Ground cover and grassy plants

297

Trees

3,275

Sqm lawn

980

Grape vines

2,800

Sqm green carpeting

The Walkaway Surf on the interactive map

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Valvigna, between architecture and nature

SOCIAL WALL

INSTAGRAM

Il modo in cui la natura vive in armonia con l’architettura a #PradaValvigna lascia senza parole. Complimenti al Gruppo #Prada e all’architetto #GuidoCanali… e grazie per questa giornata indimenticabile! @elisaprinzis

INSTAGRAM

Can #nature become #architecture? it can. #pradavalvigna by #guidocanali #architect | #prada#valvigna @prada | #architecture #archilovers #contemporary #architects #love #green #italy #fashion

INSTAGRAM

Today I’m exploring the exclusive #PradaValvigna, a workplace where wellbeing is combined with productivity in a natural equilibrium. #architecture #nature #garden #factory #excellence #sustainable #quality #craftsmanship @giagiorgpict

INSTAGRAM

A balance between architecture and nature, with #PradaValvigna has been love at first sight. @serenacirini

INSTAGRAM

Oggi s’inaugura una delle più importanti opere di architettura contemporanea in Italia: la fabbrica Prada di Valvigna dell’architetto Guido Canali. Inaugurazione con Patrizio Bertelli, Italo Lupi e Fulvio Irace.… @michelelupi

INSTAGRAM

#Prada garden factory by #GuidoCanali. #PradaValvigna #PradaOrNada @camillachiappetta

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