MANNI GROUP

In the natural park of the Lessini Mountains, a winding path runs through an open area between the mountains. During the First World War, it became a military structure. A new data center will emerge in this abandoned structure. The new construction extends outward from the old structure. The data center, residences, offices, and community center are developed into separate volumes: the data center is underground for security reasons; the offices and supporting residences are semi-underground, overlooking the surrounding landscape while maintaining privacy; the service area is on the ground floor for easy public access. The three new volumes are placed next to each other to form a new central activity space, corresponding to the original architectural logic. The roof extends horizontally and is built above the original bunker; the new building, incorporated into the topography, integrates humbly with the existing structure. As you ascend to the roof, the path transitions from grass to gravel, and finally to solid concrete blocks—the old structure is also the heart of the new building. The original roof has been removed to make way for an open courtyard, where various stairs and ramps enhance the rustic space. The first step to access the interior is the corridor between the old and new buildings, which not only forms a large span but also harmoniously connects the two structures.

The design of the structure was inspired by the mountain's shape, which is reflected in the aesthetic appearance of the construction. The project drew inspiration from sunlight and began with the recovery of the pre-existing bunker, used as the foundation for the new structure. The external construction was executed with simple rectangular layouts, seamlessly integrating into the context. The existing bunkers are used as the foundation for new buildings. The use of steel for the structure and photovoltaic panels as key elements of the new construction represents a careful choice for environmental sustainability. The panels, positioned on the three south-facing facades, ensure the production of renewable electricity to meet the energy needs of the Data Center and future community activities. The energy would mostly be generated by photovoltaic panels on the three facades facing south at a 37.5-degree angle. For the Data Center, a large facade ventilation cavity is provided so that technical equipment can be easily cooled without compromising the view and security. Utilizing the excess energy and heat generated by the Data Center, the public and service spaces are well integrated into the new architecture, enjoying breathtaking views to the north and a mountain landscape to the south, with villages that appear like gems on the mountaintops.

With the introduction of the data center into the existing landscape of the Venetian Pre-Alps, there is a juxtaposition between the hermetic, solid, and stable nature of the data center, representing contemporary values, and the fluctuating landscape of vast open mountain fields—home to traditional vernacular life. The project aims to define a configuration capable of mobilizing these contrasting qualities, both in the relationship between new and existing content and in the specific topographical and geographical characteristics. It seeks to embrace all found qualities in a 'vortical' movement, creating a stable perimeter around the exciting interchange of diverse contents. In this context, the predominant architectural form chosen is that of the torus, situated between the hills, the plateau, and the abyss, circumscribing the described shifts in the landscape and orchestrating the movement and program of the new focal point, while aesthetically representing the predominant quality of the new landmark—the transformative union of the intrinsic qualities present in the spatial and programmatic contexts. To unite all these peculiarities in a vortical motion, a stable perimeter has been created around the exciting interchange of diverse contents. To materialize this interpretation, the GreenROOF system has been extensively used to integrate the structure with the surrounding landscape, and Isopan ADDMIRA panels have been employed to clad the building's facade.

The winning SAPLAB team, consisting of Shiran Potié, Arno Goedefroo, Maurice Demeyer and Robin Feys, came from Belgium. The architects’ focus was on the Hub’s innovation centre, which uses the modern opportunities of steel to create a highly efficient building while enhancing the local culture. The Innovation Farm combines the functionality of the infrastructure for the agricultural supply chain with the mental and physical wellbeing of the workers offered by the relaxation areas. Great emphasis was placed on the various Manni Group technologies, which are present in every part of the building, and on the optimisation of the materials chosen for the construction. The “Golden Stool” of Ashanti culture is the concept for the design of the roof, where the curved structure of the green roof is supported by Manni Sipre’s heavy steelwork: each truss made with the GreenROOF system has an identical geometry, but is rotated differently to define the roof’s inclination; the secondary structure is made of local softwood beams, which reduces the cost caused by transport. Isopan sandwich panels were chosen for the walls, here characterised by a surface pattern inspired by the typical Kenthe fabric print: technological innovation in thermal insulation systems is thus combined with the history and local culture of Ghana.

The contest’s silver medal goes to the Danish POTeam - composed of Omar Dabaan, Paul Schrijen, Paola Carrara, Faiza Hamid - for creating a highly functional concept for a healthy and social workplace that is closely connected to the agricultural landscape that feeds it and integrates it with its needs as a storage and distribution hub. Ghana is in a unique position to start a production chain for this new sustainable material. As can be seen in the technical details, the architects chose Isodeck PVSteel for the building’s flat roof, on which Manni Energy’s photovoltaic panels are installed to provide the necessary electricity. Finally, a clever system of chimneys allows passive air cooling which, although very low temperatures are required in the storage areas, brings considerable energy savings.

Third place in the Manni Group Design Award 2021 went to the Polish duo Agata Holdenmajer and Jagna Przybylska: for Along the street they wanted people coming to the Hub to learn to do so in a cutting-edge structure in which classrooms, laboratories and offices are built using modern materials and techniques. All the technologies proposed by Manni Group were used in the project. The four buildings for harvesting and teaching have a supporting structure in Light Steel Frame by Manni Green Tech and are covered with ventilated façades from Isopan’s ADDWind range, while the flat roofs with Isodeck PVSteel panels support Manni Energy’s photovoltaic system. Lastly, Isofrozen panels from Isopan were used to insulate the cold rooms.

On the Detroit Riverwalk, a fine coppery dress appears on the docks and highlights the skyline. This steel and glass ribbon interacts with the public space. It is connected with the park by enveloping it and accompanying it to the heart of the project... This site is isolated between infrastructures and the TCF Center, this site does not seem to have a direct link with the city. However, located on the edge of the Detroit Riverwalk, this contact area, between the Capitol Park Historic District and the West Side Industrial, is located on the openning of one of Detroit’s main historical axes: The Washington Boulevard. The collision between Detroit Riverwalk Park and the historic axis creates a new urban polarity : the Garden Rift Tower. The Washington Boulevard breakthrough in the volume of the project connects the tower to the city and creates a large entrance to allow the landscape to flow into the central place of the project, where the various parts of the program are concentrated. This sparkling and dynamic shape is the symbol of Detroit’s renewal : A city that relies on its past to build its future.

The project aims to create an environment that acts as a bridge between diverse communities and is open to all social classes. We achieve this by combining high-end accommodations with public parks and education centers. This idea of balance impregnates every part of our project. We connect the river with piers while facing the city with towers. We embrace public transport and biking paths, while also supplying ample parking space. All of this is covered by nature to increase the quality of life and designed with a unique construction method to dramatically reduce the cost resulting in a healthy affordable environment. This way, we embrace the future without leaving anyone behind and we build this new Detroit together.

The site of the former Joe Louis Arena is located at Detroit Waterfront, merging the city skyline and boosting the city life in Detroit downtown. The proposed design is an extension and a piece of chain in the overall future waterfront development which is seen as an active living and business environment, being a continuation of the existing Renaissance Center located to the East along the waterfront line. As Detroit 1.0 evolved from a motor city at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it has gone through a period of dark depression and came to being as Detroit 2.0 when the Renaissance Center was built to mark a new chapter in the city’s history. Here is Detroit 3.0 starting the new era of the coming changes in the urban context and further development. The design embodies a mixed-function project typical for such a central location of the redeveloping city, combining functional programs for hotel, residential and office buildings bringing locals and visitors to share the beautiful impression of the waterfront area. The design adapts to the city grid, opening towards Detroit River and creating connections with the city by laying out green coats directed along the waterfront and towards the city center. The green connections redefine the urban tissue, which aims to create a green and lively area attracting newcomers. The green carpets spread around the concrete jungle of the neighborhood, covering the adjacent parking site and the rooftop of TCF Center.

At the center of the ring a huge round garden: this garden opens to the sky and aims to create a new biodiversity, une boule de nature, a green beating heart. Each passenger, approaching to Xi’An new train station will be pushed into a big forest so that trees, plants, water, will be the first elements that the visitors will see from the train. The garden gives the opportunity to experiment a modern Chinese garden, circled by the sinuous path of the roof. A mountain, a tangible element that rises from the earth to reach the sky, allowing men to do the same. From the triad Earth-Man-Sky comes an open building where millions of roads will intersect, millions of journeys will start and end.

Two simple curved lines, like the ceilings of ancient Chinese palaces, define a silhouette that will make the new train station a reference for the city of Xi’An and for the whole world. Beneath this unique roof, which breathes tradition and future, the program required for the competition develops. The centre of the programme, the train arrival and departure platforms, lies just below the fictitious intersection of the two forms, thus generating a dramatic space that will generate a sensory experience for the spectator.

The project, titled Chariot, was conceived after extensive research into the City of Xi’an and its rich historical and architectural heritage. The Dome concept for the train station derived from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s bronze chariot and in particular the circular bronze parasol that protected the driver from the elements. The bronze chariot was discovered about 20 meters west of the mound of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Emperor Qin Shi Huang united China and toured the newly united China five times, in what was once the world’s most majestic motorcade. Secondary elements like the arches represent shapes found in traditional Chinese architecture.