Tetra Pak redefines industrial classification

In 1951, with the introduction of The first carton The classic tetrahedral shape of milk, Dr. Robin Rausing founded AB Tetra Pak in Lund (Sweden). Ten years later, I was able to package this food safely, bacteria-free and without the need for refrigeration.

There is a world of possibilities open to Food products Safe and available globally. Since then, Tetra Pak has become the generic name for this type of packaging. The company, now internationalized, continues On the path to innovation.

In 2018, Michele Zini and Claudia Zopoli, co-founders of the company ZPZ Partners StudioIt won a competition to design the new Tetra Pak Research Center in Modena (Italy), which opened in December 2022.

Thus, the new headquarters serves as a European hub Research, development and prototype production Tetra Pak Company and development of food packaging machines

The ZPZ team developed new facilities around this specialty, resulting in the creation of… A space characterized by complete flexibility.

“The research center can move without problems to host activities investigation And development of production and testing rooms Event spaces Without the need for additional modifications,” the authors explain.

The envelope that characterizes the building takes on a plastic form that embraces the offices and large spaces Testing area and machinery exhibition.

“a High environmental quality It exists in all spaces. “The slightly curved surfaces, geometric texture and milky white color aim to redefine the identity of industrial architecture,” say Zini and Zopoli, who devote part of their professional activity to university teaching.

The multinational company has been based on that site since 1980, which over time has led to the development of a complex Management and production infrastructure systemto which the ZPZ Partners project has now been added.

The new complex is located within a property of about one hectare, along the old Via Emilia street, which connects the existing buildings in the area. Moreover, it is characterized by it Innovative construction solution and the resulting formal processes.

From a distance, the structure looks like a massive object with an attractive parallel shape. For authors, The building is presented as an “elegant and original” volume.Able to bend and bend gently along its edges.

The Tetra Pak building is mostly dark and displays a Clean and polished look. When looked closely, the milky-white giant reveals its structure and material significance.

These are created optically smooth and flexible surfaces Precast concrete panels. The panels, arranged in a regular pattern, form a uniform shell with no visible joints.

Turn Printed triangle shapes On the concrete surface, its size gradually decreases upward, which increases the feeling of lightness. The deck separates from the large container and folds gently on the southeast and northwest sides.

On the ground floor, large perforated roof windows provide views of the interior and exterior Direct access to the workspace. Finally, the cover reveals a complete opening on the northwestern side, which forms the main facade that includes the entrances and accommodates administrative and laboratory spaces.

The office sectional stands out from the volume, separated from the white shell on the sides and at the top. Between the second level of offices and the structure is a Large balcony.

The design of offices and laboratories adapts to work organization systems that promote innovation, based on Agile working principlesWhich is implemented by Tetra Pak.

“The physical office thus becomes a center for creative interaction and housing Activities that cannot be done remotely.

turns in Collaborative space Where people come together for a specific purpose Exchange ideas and interact“, highlighting the designers.

Organized in a Open, streamlined and flexible designThe offices are located on the northwest side of the factory and are organized into two sectors.

The first, on the interior side, which houses rooms and spaces for highly specialized activities, design areas and informal meeting places, creates A direct visual relationship With the area where the production of packaging machinery is developed.

While the second sector in the external facade brings together the administration and organization sectors, and defines the main facade with a fully glazed surface, organized in the form of a tracking grid. Irregular emergence rhythm.

This provides a grid composed of wooden elements arranged perpendicular to the facade Solar protection Right during the summer.

The uniqueness of this facility lies in its complete flexibility and the availability of a large space dedicated to the assembly and testing of food packaging machines.

ZPZ partners rethought the conditions required by R&D activities and proposed “Completely convertible barn“It is a hybrid workspace capable of hosting production lines or serving as a venue for events and training without the need for additional modifications,” the authors describe.

The challenge of the project involves organizing a Complex service and distribution systemWhich essentially constituted the “building hardware”: compressed air ducts, water and process fluid pipelines, electricity, and data infrastructure.

The proposal reinvented the existence of these systems by creating a design that allowed access only when necessary, while keeping them hidden the rest of the time.

Until the Conveyor belts Recycling is located underground in two 7-metre-wide tunnels that run the length of the building.

According to the authors, with this strategy it was possible Reduce noise, create extremely clean spacesEliminating waste treatment from sight and facilitating recycling operations.

These characteristics, along with the idea of ​​the workspace as a place of well-being, prompted ZPZ Partners to do so Imagine more than 4,500 square meters dedicated to these functions as one large room.

Then an integrated progress zone was formed White floor and polished wooden ceilingFree from structural obstructions except for two large internal gardens.

Natural light enters through these Structures with metal frames To the lobby and offices, in addition to the numerous skylights spread randomly on the roof, in addition to the two large windows extending at street level on the southwestern and northeastern facades.

he Free column space It has been achieved through the collaboration between these large gardens, as central structural elements along the axis of the building, and a series of surrounding steel columns.

Great hall gathering Four production lines With the capacity to accommodate up to 36 filling machines, each one is supported by devices that ensure its full operation.

Both the conveyor belt and basic distribution of services (treated cooling water, recycled packing water, compressed air and electricity) are located in two accessible corridors in the basement.

With what, Maintenance can be performed outside the active areaAlways leave the testing room clean and available.

The final image is Image A A pure, elegant and tranquil spacewhich also allows the presence of visitors, developers and professional clients who Encourages cooperation among employees This creates a stimulating work environment.

location. Modena, Italy author. ZPZ Partners project team. Michele Zini, Claudia Zopoli, Sarah Michelini, Alberto Di Giovanni, Sarah Caglione, Maurizio Forghieri Advisors. Structures, Studio Associato Paltrinieri; Budget, Maurizio Forghieri; Security, Ivano Ballarini; Utilities, builder of Sistemi3. Mario Neri Spa Photographs. Marco Cappelletti