In the new headquarters in Caleppio di Settala, three well-known brands in the world of bicycle and component enthusiasts come together under the name of Gruppo SRL: Cinelli, Columbus and 3T. The project is located on an area of 26.000 square metres on which there is already an imposing industrial shed of 7.000 square metres. This was certainly an interesting opportunity for the Studio not only because of the refined quality of the products of this niche company, which is very image-conscious, but also because of the owner’s passion for contemporary art. The project involves the construction of an office building adjacent to the production, the control of the general image and the landscaping of the outdoor areas. The office building is located in the North-East corner of the lot, as the first element of possible future extensions of the factory that will follow it towards the South. The whole of the resulting space to the North-West will remain a green area. The building has two storeys and a C-shaped plan, forming a small inner courtyard. The exterior cladding is made of brown brick and all completing elements such as window and doorframes, entrance bushing and façade panels are made of hot-dip galvanised iron. The very austere style refers to nineteenth-century industrial buildings that conceded nothing to form; however, this envelope encloses a courtyard characterised by the use of bright red plaster. The architectural idea is linked precisely to this concept: an almost Nordic exterior front contrasted with a warm, colourful and unpredictable interior. The plan allows for a very linear organisation of the spaces: the central body contains the atrium and the other service elements (stairs, lift, services), the two lateral bodies host the offices, mostly open, and the canteen on the ground floor. The double-height entrance hall has two high open walls designed for large works. Paintings and sculptures from the private collection, often on the theme of bicycles, are distributed throughout the spaces and are frequently changed as in an art gallery.
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