Kodak Factory (1970-1975), via Giovanni Francesco Maggiò, Marcianise, Caserta
Structural engineer: ing. Aldo Favini
Service engineer: ing. Gianfelice Bertolini
Contractor: I.C.L.A. s.p.a.
Structural engineer: ing. Aldo Favini
Service engineer: ing. Gianfelice Bertolini
Contractor: I.C.L.A. s.p.a.
From the end of the 1960s, thanks to the "Cassa del Mezzogiorno" public funds, the creation of a new industrial area south of Marcianise - near Caserta - was promoted with the intention to boost the economy and increase local employment. Various manufacturing companies, including Olivetti - with their well-known building designed by Marco Zanuso and Eduardo Vittoria in 1969 - and Kodak, opted for the construction of a factory in this area. Given the strong partnership, after the headquarter in Cinisello Balsamo in 1960, Kodak appoints Gigi Gho' again, together with the prominent structural engineer Aldo Favini.
This work falls into the theme of the prefab and modular industrial architecture, with some specific original features. In plan, the scheme presents a cruciform layout covering 12.500 sqm, with a southern, very wide section designated to warehouses, a western wing dedicated to offices with canteen and social areas, a northern part with laboratories, and a central higher space intended for the technological plants. The whole structural grid is conceived in prestressed concrete: pillars with asymmetric H section support primary box beams, which in turn support secondary beams. The roof is realised by the use of X-shaped roof tiles (“copponi”) and vibrated concrete panels. The shape of the structural elements is not only responding to static requirements but also created ingeniously to host the services in an integrated way, following the most interesting contemporary industrial buildings. The modular span is of 15 meters by 15 meters; the cladding is realised in continuous glazed surfaces.
Of particular interest are the prefab louvres elements, conceived as shade grids standing on the ground, painted in white and with various inclination according to the incidence of the solar rays: their peculiar sculptural profile defines all the elevation of the factory in a unique manner, awarding the building a specific figurative look.
This work falls into the theme of the prefab and modular industrial architecture, with some specific original features. In plan, the scheme presents a cruciform layout covering 12.500 sqm, with a southern, very wide section designated to warehouses, a western wing dedicated to offices with canteen and social areas, a northern part with laboratories, and a central higher space intended for the technological plants. The whole structural grid is conceived in prestressed concrete: pillars with asymmetric H section support primary box beams, which in turn support secondary beams. The roof is realised by the use of X-shaped roof tiles (“copponi”) and vibrated concrete panels. The shape of the structural elements is not only responding to static requirements but also created ingeniously to host the services in an integrated way, following the most interesting contemporary industrial buildings. The modular span is of 15 meters by 15 meters; the cladding is realised in continuous glazed surfaces.
Of particular interest are the prefab louvres elements, conceived as shade grids standing on the ground, painted in white and with various inclination according to the incidence of the solar rays: their peculiar sculptural profile defines all the elevation of the factory in a unique manner, awarding the building a specific figurative look.
Bibliography about this work:
Stabilimento prefabbricato in “Domus” n. 560, luglio 1976
Stabilimento Kodak di Caserta in “L’industria delle costruzioni”, n. 61, novembre 1975, pp.3-14
“L’industria italiana del cemento” n.4, ottobre 1978
“L’industria italiana del cemento” n.10, 1988
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.214-231
Stabilimento prefabbricato in “Domus” n. 560, luglio 1976
Stabilimento Kodak di Caserta in “L’industria delle costruzioni”, n. 61, novembre 1975, pp.3-14
“L’industria italiana del cemento” n.4, ottobre 1978
“L’industria italiana del cemento” n.10, 1988
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.214-231
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