BOLLE

For their historic 225th corporate anniversary, the Nardini family set out to create an architectural icon; from the vision of Massimiliano Fuksas, a landmark was unveiled in 2004, le Bolle (the glass bubbles) that dares to compete with the Palladian covered bridge , an inseparable symbol of the city of Bassano and Nardini. The aim of this project was to meet the need for an auditorium where those interested in the world of grappa could be welcomed all year; an expanded laboratory facility, and a space to host internal meetings and events of high cultural value.

The architect: Massimiliano Fuksas

Of Lithuanian origin, Massimiliano Fuksas was born in Rome in 1944, where he obtained a degree in architecture at the University “La Sapienza” in 1969. In 1967 he opened a studio in Rome, followed by studios in Paris and Vienna in 1989 and 1993 and in Frankfurt in 2003.

His principal completed and ongoing projects include:

  • the Milan fairgrounds in Rho
  • the commercial mall “Piazza”
  • The plaza of 18 September and Mediamarkt in Eindhoven (Holland)
  • the exposition center of Astana in Kazakhstan
  • Emporio Armani in Hong Kong
  • the Ferrari center for Research in Maranello
  • the Italian Space Agency – ASI
  • the Italian Congress Center in Rome

The Bolle in figures

The project phase began in 2001 Construction work started in September 2002 and was completed in October 2004. The structure was inaugurated on December 13, 2004.

Dimensions

  • Total surface area 2496 sq.m.
  • Total usable surface 1108,55 sq.m.
  • Upper bubble 206,30 sq.m.
  • Laboratory bubble 168,50 sq.m.
  • Reflecting pool 630 sq.m.
  • Floor surface underground level 1: 224,30 sq.m.
  • (Floor surface underground level 2: 509,45 sq.m.

Glass

Transparent and double-glazed, providing excellent solar protection and a very low level of light reflection combined with energy saving efficiency.

  • 11500 sq. m. of glass used
  • 572 couples of glass panes
  • 204 panes of clear glass on the upper part
  • 82 opaque panes in the lower part of each bubble
  • 691 sq. m. of surface area of the upper bubble
  • 514 sq. m. of surface area in the lower bubble.

Ecological controls

For climate control, a prototype was invented: “multi heating and cooling unit with total heat recycling”, utilizing the natural spring water used for distillation ; it can recover heat in the summer and allows the production of hot and cold water simultaneously to provide air conditioning and heating regardless of the outside temperature and without emissions into the air.

The laboratory bubble

The analysis laboratory in the lower bubble is a vitally important workplace: it is where the exacting quality and continuity of Nardini products is guaranteed, with daily quality control for every lot produced.