Marco Visconti

Biography

Marco Visconti graduated in architecture at the University of Genoa, followed by a postgraduate Masters in Architectural Design at the UCLA of Los Angeles and a degree in Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin. In Genoa he collaborated with Renzo Piano from 1984 to 1986. From 1987 to 2006 he was the head of the architectural group of Fiatengineering and subsequently of Maire Tecnimont and taught at the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic of Turin, and also held lectures on specific topics at Italian and foreign universities. In January 2007 he founded the partnership MDN - Man, design and nature. In September 2009 he was appointed Chairman of the Italian division of Aedas and now he laeds MVArchitects, an architectural firm focused on sustainability.

Among the projects in industry, professional training and culture filed, noteworthy are: the engine production hall and the Ferrari paint pavilion, as well as the restaurant Ferrari in Maranello; the IVECO's training center in Turin; the FIAT Sata research center in Melfi; Hitachi's training centre in Lecce; Turin's National Automobile Museum’s conference room, Mugello's race track’s service building in Florence; Iren cogeneration and hydroelectric plant in Moncalieri.

Notable projects

The architecture of this industrial complex has been determined by the surrounding environmental characteristics, dominated by the soft lines of the hills, resulting in low buildings in harmony with nature. The whole system of services is accommodated in a long curved volume that, together with the undulating landscape, is aligned along the parabolic form of the flow of the external pedestrian paths. The industrial facades are similarly designed and, with the intention of diminishing their visual impact, a separation was sought through the use of horizontal green bands placed next to simple overhanging lines below, made from tuff coloured prefabricated panels.

The structure overall consists of consecutive linear spaces, linked piece by piece to the green areas and to the adjacent urban roadway. The double-height volumes that contain the training centre are situated along the curved side of the building, and, when seen from the street, appear as a unified linear system protected by a wide portico. The roof of the building is light and unifying, supported by reticulated beams which constitute the external portico that also protects the pedestrian link between the Training Centre and the carpak on the eastern side. The external cladding is made from prefabricated panels and large glass windows protected by perforated aluminium sunshields.

The exterior of the building is characterized by greenery, which filters the direct views, giving strength from the inside to the vision of nature through the great glass facades. The whole facade system was conceived through the analysis of exposure and solar radiation and integrated with three glasshouses on the eastern side incorporating vertically moving curtains. These glasshouses are able to process the sunlight, in winter collecting the heat formed within the system; then, when external temperatures are high, they protect the inside, limiting the direct solar exposure on the facade, and creating ventilation within the cavity.

The design is based on the aggregation of interconnected rectangular volumes, partially transparent and slightly offset from one another. On the southwest corner of the building, a multi-storey greenhouse provides connections between floors and houses the energy production plants. On the south and east fronts of the building, a ventilation system includes internal aluminum panels and translucent panes of glass with a design of ground horizontal lines. The system is completed at the base by a plinth of white travertine panels.

The design of the new Ferrari restaurant is directly influenced by general concepts of passive architecture. From a conceptual point of view the main shape refers to an helicopter fin section providing inner shading and transparency during operation hours, its design directly considers solar path. Southern exposed roof is covered by PV panels and ground floor spaces are protected by the main overhanging volume containing a restaurant pavilion. The third floor is dedicated to restaurant functions, while the ground floor provides space for the main kitchen and a wellness center. The mezzanine level contains a training center and main ground floor lobby is surrounded by a double height glazed space.

The power station of Moncalieri is a hydroelectric and co-generation power station which provides district-heating energy to about 300,000 people in Turin. From a design point of view, different shapes are aggregated and coated in order to reduce the environmental impact of the power station. The main volumes are marked by green horizontal stripes, while the colors of the minor volumes comply with the law. The lot is defined by three waterways: the hydroelectric power station intake canal and the Po and Sangone rivers.