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The project for the new Faculty of Engineering of the Free University of Bolzano was developed following an international design competition, with the aim of establishing a new academic building within the NOI Techpark. From the outset, the design was guided by a clear and adaptable volumetric strategy, capable of accommodating a broad functional programme while maintaining coherence with future developments along Via Buozzi. A compact massing was chosen to optimise space usage and daylight access. This initial volume was then shaped through a process of strategic subtractions, generating internal courtyards and terraces. The resulting porosity allows for flexibility, environmental performance, and a strong formal identity within an evolving urban framework.
The intervention is part of the broader regeneration of the former Alumix industrial site, positioned as a hinge between the city and the new science campus. The project reinterprets the industrial character of the area using contemporary construction techniques and materials, maintaining continuity with the historical identity of the site. Pedestrian and bicycle routes connect the building to the surrounding urban fabric. Public spaces and planted areas contribute to permeability and improve the relationship between interior and exterior. The transparency of the ground floor ensures spatial continuity and accessibility.
The façade system consists of powder-coated aluminium mesh panels, selected for their functional, technical, and environmental properties. It includes fixed and dynamic elements: movable panels are motorized and respond to light and wind sensors, as well as manual controls. This setup ensures solar shading and natural ventilation, improving energy performance. It also allows modular construction and off-site prefabrication, reducing installation time and maintenance. Powder coating guarantees corrosion resistance and durability. The mesh geometry supports passive strategies and defines the façades’ rhythm. Moreover, the choice of aluminium evokes the site's industrial legacy, referencing its manufacturing once typical of the area and establishing a subtle link between past and present.
The project embraces an integrated approach to sustainability, in line with the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) applied to public construction projects. Particular focus is given to the environmental impact of materials, indoor air quality, and energy conservation. Recyclable, low-emission materials were selected, alongside over 600 square meters of green walls, enhanced natural ventilation through interior courtyards, dynamic solar shading systems, and intelligent climate control technologies. The building envelope is finely tuned for both thermal and acoustic performance, boosting comfort while minimizing energy use. Long-term durability and ease of maintenance were also key considerations throughout the design process.
The project is defined by the integration of spatial efficiency, structural clarity, and environmental responsiveness. The building’s compact volume is articulated through a sequence of voids—patios, terraces, and stairwells—that ensure natural light penetration, visual permeability, and effective airflow. Circulation is organised around two quadruple-height vertical shafts, enhancing orientation and continuity across floors. The use of post-tensioned slabs allows for open-plan interiors and programmatic flexibility. Material choices—such as exposed concrete, glazed partitions, and acoustic surfaces—are calibrated to support durability, user comfort, and functional performance. The architecture avoids formal excess, focusing instead on measured, long-lasting spatial quality.
Olivieri Office, founded by architect Davide Olivieri following over a decade as project leader at the international firms of Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra and David Chipperfield, began its independent practice in 2013. Since then, the practice has garnered numerous awards through international competitions in architecture, landscape design, and museography. Notable winning projects include the social housing complex in Silandro (2018), the "Dante Alighieri" secondary school in Città di Castello (2024), the primary school in Dimaro (2017), the social and healthcare district in Bolzano (2016), the MuViG – Virtual Museum of Garofalo in Canaro (2015-2017), and the adaptive reuse project for the former Trabuccato prison on the island of Asinara (2014). The firm specialises in the design of public buildings and actively engages in design competitions, its primary means for securing new commissions.
