Oficina Vidre Negre

Oficina Vidre Negre is situated near Cuneo (Italy), in a landscape shaped by industry and agriculture. The project was born as a contemporary sculpture, a symbol of a dynamic and continuous development with the need for strong identification, even in terms of image. In a context of peripheral node of the motorway, the building is set within a park, planted with native species, in which a sort of town square accompanied to the entrance. The surface of the building is 1400 sqm, while the surface of the site is 25500 sqm. The dynamism of the client is shown in architecture, volume changing, a prism completely covered in black glass faceted and integrated photovoltaic panels.

One of the strongest characteristics of this project is its energy efficiency. Oficina Vidre Negre's HVAC systems were designed with the precise goal of obtaining Class A energy efficiency on the basis of current regulations. Heating and cooling of the interiors are ensured by 3 watertowater heat pumps with a performance coefficient of 4.31 and a nominal output of 117.900 Watts. The pumps produce hot water in winter at +45°C, with a thermal step of +5°C, while in the summer months they deliver cooled water at +7°C, with a thermal step of +5°C.

The ground and first floor offices have a ceiling radiant heating and cooling system. As well as ensuring comfort zone temperatures, ceiling diffusion also allows considerable energy savings since water temperatures can be kept to between 27°C and 32°C for heating (compared to the 70°- 80°C of traditional plant), and between 15°C and 20°C for cooling (as against the 7°-12°C required by conventional air conditioning systems). It also cuts environmental pollution and running costs.