West 8 - San Pellegrino Flagship Factory

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Adriaan Geuze is a cofounder and design director of Dutch firm West 8, a leading practise for landscape architecture and urban design. A project that piques my interest within the West 8 portfolio is the design of the San Pellegrino Flagship Factory, a joint project with BIG. 

The natural landscape bodes abundant views in all directions such as flowing rivers, forested slopes and vast open skies. The designed landscape fuses classical features with a modern refinement, a combination of rustic, Italian heritage with a clean, simple elegance. 

What I like:

·      The material choices mimic that of the surrounding geology, flecked with natural tones of grey and white. 

·      There is a powerful geometric juxtaposition between the squared outer form of the factory to the internal archways.  

·      The variation and repetition of timeless arches creates an enticing and significant aesthetic, representative of greatness. 

·      The choice of vegetation – iconic Italian columnar trees and native species feature in the wide open spaces, whilst climbers and ground plants integrate the bridges and access routes into the surrounding landscape. 

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