Plural Architecture Meets Invisible Technology
Woodn Greenwood composite wood for the new Piazza of Confindustria Bergamo at Kilometro Rosso
Kilometro Rosso In Bergamo, it is one of the most important scientific and technological innovation districts in Europe, delimited by the iconic red wall of the great Jean Nouvel, a place where contemporary architecture redefines the very concept of public space and business connection.
The new Confindustria Bergamo Square, designed by architect Francesca Perani (founder of Francesca Perani Enterprise and collective facilitator RebelArchitects), it was born as a strategic intervention that transforms a transit area into an identity-focused, inclusive, and multifunctional hub.
A true circular “urban carpet” of over 450 sq m, designed to host outdoor events and meetings, and attract startups and researchers.
To meet the stringent demands of reversibility, durability, and technological integration selected from the call for tenders and the context, the outdoor solutions signed Woodn Greenwood, as a key element of the flooring.
The Project: fluid geometries between nature and technology
The work of Francesca Perani Establish a continuous dialogue between architecture and its context.
The space design is developed as a large ring that connects the pedestrian flows between the parking lot and the entrance of the Confindustria Bergamo headquarters, between the 90 sqm elevated platform, designed to accommodate up to 100 seats, and the green area planted with trees. Sweetgum and grasses.
From a technical perspective, the square is a concentration of invisible technology:
- An integrated scenic misting system allows for cooling during the warmer months for the Summer comfort
- an antifreeze heating system, installed directly under the flooring, guarantees Winter safety, total usability and safety 365 days a year
Why did the designers choose Evodeck and Plug&Play?
To clad a surface so complex, exposed to the elements and intense commercial foot traffic, Studio Perani opted for Woodn Greenwood's wood composite (WPC) planks, specifically the systems Evodeck e Plug and Play, alternating in refined shades Taupe e Wenge.
For General Contractors and design firms involved in public or corporate works of this magnitude, the choice of Woodn Greenwood composite wood meets three key site and specification requirements:
1. Dimensional stability and thermal performance
Unlike natural wood, Woodn Greenwood composite wood is not affected by warping due to extreme temperature fluctuations, a critical factor in this project given the presence of the underfloor radiant heating system and the surface mister.
The material maintains its flatness and is resistant to moisture, mold, and pests.
2. Reversibility and dry installation
As stated by the designer herself, the square was conceived as a “lightweight and reversible organism. The slats were laid on an engineered aluminum substructure. This system ensures rapid dry installation, perfect geometric alignment of the slats (essential for following the circular layout), and the possibility to inspect or dismantle the structure in the future without impacting the ground of Kilometro Rosso.
3. Certified Sustainability and “Tailor Made” Aesthetics”
The combination of wood aesthetics and polymer durability perfectly embraces the philosophy green of the Technology Park.
The Woodn Greenwood WPC used meets the strict environmental sustainability criteria required by institutional clients, while also offering an excellent material finish that requires no ordinary maintenance or annual protective treatments.
A new standard for corporate outdoor spaces
The Piazza Confindustria Bergamo project demonstrates how the external areas of corporate headquarters no longer need to be considered mere appurtenances, but rather true strategic assets for welfare, sharing, and representation.
The synergy between Francesca Perani Enterprise's architectural vision and Woodn Greenwood's material engineering has given rise to a space where design is not just form, but structural performance serving the community.
Project Details:
- Client Servizi Confindustria Bergamo Srl – Confindustria Bergamo
- Design and Site Supervision Arch. Francesca Perani (Francesca Perani Enterprise)
- Landscape Consulting Arch. Sara Carrara
- Intervention Area: 456 sqm platform on a total area of over 1000 sqm
- Flooring Supplier: Woodn Greenwood (Evodeck and Plug&Play Systems)
- Photo Credits: Photo Studio UV