In the new complex of the Oberalp-SALEWA company (specializing in the field of sportswear and equipment for mountaineering) in Bolzano, Italy, in addition to offices and show rooms, there are warehouses, a store, multifunctional halls, as well as infrastructure for employees - a fitness center and a nursery. The building is surrounded by a green area with a cafe and is equipped with an open "climbing wall" mounted in one of the "arms" of the complex in the form of a giant bell.
The headquarters was erected in the suburb of Bolzano and the main facade is facing the southern entrance to the city: in this place the surrounding mountain landscape just merges with the urban landscape, which prompted the authors of the project to reflect this topographic dialectic in the composition of the building. The complex is composed of a series of multifaceted blocks and towers of crystalline form, which are in visual dialogue with the surrounding mountains and, depending on the point of view of the observer, create different scenarios for reading the ensemble as a whole.
On the south side, three tall office volumes are delivered, acting as a sunscreen. Among them is the 50-meter tower, which became the tallest building in the city. The hulls are lined with perforated aluminum panels, painted in three shades of blue-gray, echoing the colors of the surrounding mountain peaks. A large volume of warehouses is wrapped in the same metal "skin". But on the north side, a significant area of the facades is given over to glazing in order to sufficiently illuminate the working areas, from where, thanks to this, magnificent views open.
The headquarters is equipped with the largest innovative energy system in the region: the building produces more energy than it consumes. The climbing gym - the largest in Italy - was also built using innovative methods. Thanks to the huge "stage portal", which encloses the climbing wall, climbers will be able to practice outdoors, protected from the weather.
N. K.
