The Fendi factory in Tuscany disappears into the landscape
The new Fendi Factory in Italy, set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, is the brainchild of Milan architecture studio Piuarch and the luxury brand
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter
The new Fendi factory in Bagno a Ripoli offers a new proposition for building for production and industrial facilities. Idyllically set among the green nature and rolling hills of Tuscany, the structure keeps a discreet, low profile and modest outlook in its rich countryside surroundings. Created by Milan-based architecture studio Piuarch and coordinated by Fendi's in-house specialist architecture department, the complex seeks to embody the brand's ethos and design approach.
The Fendi factory in Tuscany
Balancing Fendi's philosophy and drawing on its own experience with urban green, planted roofs and sustainable building, Piuarch composed a concept for the new Fendi factory that features a raised garden. This gesture not only helps the structure effectively blend within its natural context, helping maintain native flora and fauna on site and supporting existing eco-systems; it also visually 'completes' the terrain's lines, by 'restoring' the existing hillside where the plot is located.
The overall Fendi factory complex spans some 14,000 sq m. Piuarch and Fendi collaborated to ensure a 'high standard of landscaping and advanced energy efficiency', explains the studio in its communication material. Allowing the architecture to become an integral part of the landscape was critical to this scheme right from the start. The initial concept was carved out together with landscape architect Antonio Perazzi.
Now, the completed Fendi factory provides a 21st-century home for the brand, including management and administrative offices, a restaurant, a production warehouse, workshops and a school for haute leather goods. 'The intent [is to] fully express the exceptional quality and high standards of the luxury brand,' the team explains.
fendi.com (opens in new tab)
piuarch.it (opens in new tab)
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).
-
Design podcasts to discover: creative giants share smalltalk and big ideas
Listen to the best design podcasts by creators, curators and journalists shining a spotlight on different areas of the design practice
By Rosa Bertoli • Published
-
2022 fashion highlights, as picked by the Wallpaper* team
The Wallpaper* fashion and beauty team reflect on their personal 2022 fashion highlights – from Gaetano Pesce at Bottega Veneta and Wales Bonner in Florence to intrigue and seduction at Prada
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Marre Moerel’s swinging flame candle uses artful balance
Vita Balanza by Marre Moerel and Santa & Cole has turned candles into a balancing act
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Senegal’s Mamy Tall on city planning, bioclimatic construction and heritage
Mamy Tall from Senegal is part of our series of profiles of architects, spatial designers and builders shaping West Africa's architectural future
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Park House is a minimalist, art-filled family home in Melbourne
Park House by Mim Design and Pleysier Perkins is an art-filled family home in Melbourne including a bold, concrete extension
By Nick Compton • Published
-
Year in review: top 10 houses of 2022, selected by Wallpaper* architecture editor Ellie Stathaki
Wallpaper’s Ellie Stathaki reveals her top 10 houses of 2022 – from modernist reinventions to urban extensions and idyllic retreats
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
This bijou Sonoma County house is in sync with the landscape
An open and contextual Sonoma County house, Leit House is designed by San Francisco’s Schwartz and Architecture
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Minimalist architecture: homes that inspire calm
These examples of minimalist architecture place life in the foreground – clutter is demoted; joy promoted. Elevating interiors to places of peace, these buildings created by design pioneers help us to trace a recent history of minimalism in home design.
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Big Branzino sauna floats in the Stockholm archipelago
The Big Branzino floating sauna by Sandellsandberg opens to guests in the Stockholm archipelago
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Twin 6a architects buildings arrive at London Design District
Two 6a architects-designed buildings, A2 and B2, launch at the Design District in London
By Ellie Stathaki • Last updated
-
This snowy Rockies retreat is the perfect Colorado family stay
DNA Alpine by CCY Architects is a family Colorado Rockies retreat, designed to provide the perfect mountain sports and snowy getaway experience
By Ellie Stathaki • Last updated