In Forlì, a city in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna, the newly completed Sidera Headquarters exemplifies neuroarchitecture’s transformative power. Designed to foster creativity and well-being, the project redefines traditional office spaces by prioritizing the needs of its users and the environment.
Sidera Headquarters Technical Information
- Architects1-12: Tisselli Studio Architetti
- Location: Forlì, Northern Italy
- Area: 10,000 m2 | 107,600 Sq. Ft.
- Completion Year: 2023
- Photographs: Courtesy of Tisselli Studio Architetti
The final shape of the building is the result of a creative process that absorbs the rationality and pragmatism of the company, translating its identity characteristics – transparency, flexibility, innovation, and comfort – into architecture.
– Tisselli Studio Architects
Sidera Headquarters Photographs
Architectural Language: Translating Identity into Design
Located at the edge of Forlì, in an industrial area bordering the ancient Roman centurion, the Sidera Headquarters emerges in a landscape dominated by monotonous prefab warehouses. CIA Conad, Italy’s largest mass-market retailer, envisioned this project as an example of innovation, reflecting their values of transparency, flexibility, and comfort while addressing the lack of architectural identity in the area.
At its core, Sidera’s design reflects the rationality and pragmatism that define CIA Conad’s corporate identity. The building’s clean lines, expansive use of glass, and open layouts serve as physical manifestations of the company’s values. The architectural form adapts to a strict programmatic requirement to avoid open-plan offices, ensure exclusive workspaces for one or two individuals, and allocate a single level for each department.
The building spans 100 meters in length and rises to 33 meters, supported by a 3-meter elevated base. Its external surfaces are composed of just three materials: natural aluminum, black-pigmented concrete, and glass. The vertical aluminum fins—stretching six kilometers—play with natural light, creating shifting perceptions of opacity and transparency throughout the day. This dynamic facade complements the “fifth facade”—the pitched roof—whose six inclined planes and large skylights establish a dialogue with the Apennine mountain range.
Spatial Experience: The Impact of Neuroarchitecture
The interiors of Sidera are a seamless extension of the architectural envelope, integrating neuroarchitectural principles to create an ideal workspace. The focus is on fostering well-being through a controlled interplay of light, air, sound, and views. The extensive use of glass regulates natural light, flooding workspaces while maintaining visual connections to the verdant surroundings. Circadian lighting systems align with the natural 24-hour cycle, and advanced ventilation technologies ensure clean, healthy air in an area known for high pollution levels.
Acoustic insulation is meticulously engineered to enhance concentration, and every internal level offers views of the surrounding greenery, creating a biophilic connection that reduces stress. Inside, custom-designed wooden, aluminum, and concrete furnishings maintain the materials’ natural tones, reflecting the organization’s sobriety and pragmatism.
The dramatic central staircases—with hypertrophic, sinuous lines—serve as a visual and spatial centerpiece, connecting the building’s levels. These spaces act as hubs of interaction, encouraging social connections and a sense of community among employees. The interplay of compression and release in spaces—angled walls, inclined surfaces, and varied ceiling heights—adds a layer of complexity and curiosity, fueling creativity and collaboration.
Sidera Headquarters Regional Significance
Sidera’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its design and operational strategies. Surrounded by 300 trees and 22,000 plants, the headquarters reclaims an uninspiring industrial context by integrating nature into its fabric. This lush green belt serves as both a visual and functional buffer, enhancing the microclimate while reducing the building’s environmental impact.
Powered by a photovoltaic system, the headquarters significantly reduces its carbon footprint. The pitched roof’s vernacular design—uncommon in industrial areas—offers a reinterpretation of regional architectural elements, reinforcing a sense of place. By addressing the lack of architectural identity in its surroundings, Sidera sets a precedent for transforming underwhelming urban zones into dynamic, human-centered environments.
Sidera Headquarters Plans
Sidera Headquarters Image Gallery
About Tisselli Studio Architetti
Tisselli Studio Architetti, founded in 1998 by architect Filippo Tisselli and joined in 2001 by architect Cinzia Mondello, collaborates with architect Marcin Dworzynski since 2011. The studio specializes in various projects, from residential and commercial architecture to interior design and product design. Rooted in its provincial origins, the firm balances local expertise with a commitment to introducing international architectural perspectives, emphasizing material research, technological innovation, and meticulous attention to detail.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Architectural Planning: Tisselli Studio Architetti
- Structural Planning: AEI Progetti, Gabriele Casadio
- Mechanical Systems: Idrotermica Coop
- Electrical Systems: SBE S.r.l.
- Building Automation: Casadei & Pellizzaro S.r.l.
- Landscape Planning: Paisa’
- Anti-Intrusion System: Elettronica Cortesi S.r.l.
- Acoustics: Andrea Farnetani
- Client: CIA Conad (Italy’s largest mass-market retailer)
- Building Height: 33 meters
- Building Length: 100 meters
- Roof Design: Pitched roof with six inclined planes and three large skylights
