HomeArchitectureZ-LIFE, the innovation of the office space by AMDL CIRCLE and Carlo...

Z-LIFE, the innovation of the office space by AMDL CIRCLE and Carlo Ratti in Milan

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Z-LIFE is the name of the new headquarters for pharmaceutical corporation Zambon, designed by AMDL CIRCLE in collaboration with Carlo Ratti Associati and set inside the OpenZone campus in Bresso, on the outskirts of Milan, Italy.

The project develops and promotes new ways of living the office space: the entire building is designed to host workplaces with few barriers between them, in order to favour the exchange of ideas and competences and promote constant innovation in a business environment.

© Luca Rotondo

In Z-LIFE, office activities have been integrated into an existing structure of a former factory specialized in metal profiles and a glass enclosed volume has been inserted within the previous reinforced concrete structure, with a steel architectural frame; the glass highlights the concrete parts that reveals the building’s history: the juxtaposition of different materials makes Z-LIFE unique in its surroundings, and recognizable from afar.

Inside Z-LIFE, there are no separation walls and all environments are connected to develop collaboration: the wide open space is developed on two levels, visually connected from several voids that let the viewer perceive all the internal activities; in addition, the open environment allows a continuous adaptation of the spaces according to the changing needs of a contemporary office space.

© Luca Rotondo

The perimetral glass walls allows for natural light to spread, highlighting the empty space and favouring a positive relationship with the outdoors; the transparency of the outer perimeter is a metaphor of knowledge sharing, in a continuous exchange between the inside and the outside.

The central part of the original volume has been demolished to host a courtyard, all offices developing around it: at the centre, Open Lamp, a circular hall dedicated to, events and internal communications meetings; the dome that covers Open Lamp is connected to the office spaces by four gangways.

© Luca Rotondo

Outside, the glass avant-corps has a load-bearing metal structure and is characterized by the use of larch wood on the ceiling and on the claddings; finally, Z-LIFE’s roof, visible from the adjacent buildings, has been conceived as a fifth façade and features a roof garden which appearance will change through seasons.

Innovative and sustainable space for the future office according to AMDL CIRCLE.