Over the past 10 years, FCA has undertaken a variety of projects to renovate and/or convert vacant office buildings and production facilities located in and around Turin. Initiated in 2007, the restoration of several vacant production facilities along Via Plava was part of a more comprehensive strategy by the Group to play a key role in the redevelopment of Turin and the surrounding area. Following major renovation work, incorporating modern and ecologically-focused design standards, Officine 81, 82 and 83 became home to FCA’s design center (Centro Stile), offices for the Abarth brand and, more recently, the central administrative, IT, accounting, internal audit and security functions for FCA and CNH Industrial in Europe.

The original 42,000 m² covered surface area was converted into 29,000 m² of offices, service facilities and planted courtyard areas that can accommodate nearly 2,000 workers.

Managed by Fiat Partecipazioni, the renovation project employed an innovative approach whose primary objectives were recovery and reuse of materials, application of efficient and sustainable building methods and design, and creation of a healthy and enjoyable environment. This approach brought significant environmental benefits, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and minimization of CO₂ emissions.

From an environmental point of view, the primary benefits of the project included:

• reuse of an existing industrial site rather than building on a greenfield site

• preservation of the exterior shell of the structure, resulting in significantly reduced waste generation

• reuse of existing materials, resulting in significant savings in energy consumption necessary for production and transport of new materials to the site.

​On-site safety was a top priority throughout construction. The tight timetable meant that multiple activities often had to be carried out simultaneously, with more than 300 people on-site at peak times. As a result of the rigorous planning and management of internal traffic flows and logistics, signage and all other safety-related aspects, the project was completed with zero accidents.

Sustainability criteria were also used in the selection of all basic building materials, including glass, steel, aluminum, plaster and stone. The complex is built around glass and green spaces that all offices and meeting rooms look out onto. A total of 127 different varieties of native and exotic plants were used. Irregular oval-shaped islands, partially secluded behind semi-transparent screens of white metal “bamboo”, provide ideal spaces to take a break or chat with colleagues.

The cafeteria also looks out onto a tree and garden area and the theme is repeated in the cafeteria’s internal decor. Lighting is provided by large circular lights suspended from the ceiling that alternate with sound-absorbing ceiling panels of varying diameters suspended at different heights. The cafeteria can seat up to 400 people with traditional tables and lunch bar seating, as well as moveable dividers, catering to the habits and preferences of all diners.

The innovative use of natural light, plants, and attractive materials ensures occupants a comfortable and positive working environment. An up-down lighting system, consisting of approximately 1,000 suspended LED lights, provides direct and indirect lighting in offices and meeting rooms. LED lighting is extremely efficient, using approximately half the electricity needed to generate the same light as traditional bulbs.

This project is just one concrete example of how the Group constantly strives to put sustainability into practice at the local level.

December 2014