this automated warehouse in italy oscillates between opacity and transparency

a warehouse box as a protective screen

enrico molteni has completed an automated warehouse box within an industrial area along the highway SS36 that connects milan to lecco and valtellina. the volume was positioned next to the existing factory in such a way that it constitutes an autonomous element and in itself defines the new image of the company. lighting has assumed a fundamental role in the project, enhancing the strictly infrastructural character of the project. oscillating between opacity and transparency, the proposed mono-material envelope acts as a protective screen that when dark unveils its internal structure, serving as an illuminated landmark. all images by arco cappelletti

an automated semi-transparent warehouse

the design team at enrico molteni opted for a modular system that guarantees excellent levels of thermal insulation, reduced weight, and elasticity. the standard production of the slabs also made it possible to lay finished elements at full height, avoiding horizontal joints, and facilitating the speed of installation. the roof is resolved with a system of clamped aluminum plates and a perimeter gutter channel. the underground basement, in reinforced concrete, cast on-site in the traditional way, protrudes from the level of the ground, defining a base. 

a further decisive technical aspect, that relating to the control of the internal temperature, has proved essential in the choice of material. the operating temperatures, strictly defined between a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 40 degrees, have required a careful evaluation of the casing and its integration with a natural internal ventilation system, consisting of a series of air intakes, located in the basement, and a series of evacuators and extractors, placed on the roof. the very finish of the polycarbonate was determined by this thermal aspect and involved a differentiation between the external and internal finishing: the polycarbonate panels were specially produced with a white finish for the internal half and with a satin finish with UV protection. on the short facades, a black finish was instead opted for the interior, which results in a mirror effect. this double finish guarantees, together with the ventilation system, to keep the internal temperatures within the necessary limits, without the use of additional cooling and heating systems.

lighting becomes a constructive, architectural element

the impact of the building along the highway was studied by exploiting the qualities of the polycarbonate which is translucent, with a good ability to reflect light and to take on tones that vary according to the weather conditions. but it is certainly the night vision that best expresses the nature of the building, intended as a screen on which lights and shadows impress their own design.  

arranged on different floors, one internal and one perimeter, the linear LED lighting was positioned vertically along the uprights of the shelving and horizontally along with the facade purlins. the internal light projects, like an x-ray, the state of the warehouse, in its continuous movement of packages, on the facade screen, while the perimeter light overlaps, marking constant horizontal lines made up of identical illuminated covers. between these lines, the company logo is placed. the lighting can be adjusted in eight different modes, to define the night image, just as the daylight changes on the reflecting surface of the facade, impressing various specific atmospheric conditions. 

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project info:

name: magazzino automatizzato sulla SS36
designer: enrico molteni with ekaterina golovatyuk

collaborators: alessandro ferrazzano

models: gianmarco spagnesi

reinforced concrete structures: ing. luca sironi

steel structures: ing. giuseppe d’agostino

company: molteni enrico e c. srl

automated systems and self-supporting shelving: ferretto group spa

facades and roofing: dott.gallina srl, syntesis group spa

systems: ci.ti srl, frigerio impianti, casati fratelli

lighting: éluce srl

consultants energetic: ing. giorgio de cani, in.g mauro volontè

site technical director: ing. francesco molteni

works management: ing. giuseppe vismara

client: vismaravetro srl

chronology: project 2018-19, construction 2020-21

dimensions: 6.50 m x 41 m x 18 m (free internal height)

location: via a. furlanelli 29, 20843 verano brianza

photography: marco cappelletti | @marcocappelletti 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina petridou | designboom