Bicycle production Legnano Factory (1961-1963, 1977-1978, 1987), piazzale Bozzi 1, Legnano
Structure: Studio Cozzaglio
MEP Engineering: Società Legnano
Structure: Studio Cozzaglio
MEP Engineering: Società Legnano
In Italy the 1960s represent a period of intense reflection on the architecture for the industrial production. On the wave of an unprecedented economic growth, entrepreneurs start appointing architects for the construction of modern production factories: along with the usual functional features, the economy of scale allowed to carry out advanced research on heavy prefabrications, with the use of reinforced concrete modular systems giving life to solutions that were flexible enough for a range of different manufacturing requirements.
It is in this context, between 1961 and 1963, that Gigi Gho' designs the new factory for Legnano, a historic italian cycles company founded at the beginning of the Twenty century. The structure is built in an industrial district in West Legnano and is based on the juxtaposition of modular elements covered by an arched roof, on which lantern-shape openings stand out and bring zenithal light to the internal space. The use of materials - reinforced concrete, bricks, and large glazed windows - is inspired by principles of simple rationality. The water tower, thanks to its excellent sculptural profile, acts also as an urban landmark for the factory.
During the 1970s and the 1980s, Gho' works again and again on this project on request from the new owner, a machine tools company who retrofits the factory to a new production use.
It is in this context, between 1961 and 1963, that Gigi Gho' designs the new factory for Legnano, a historic italian cycles company founded at the beginning of the Twenty century. The structure is built in an industrial district in West Legnano and is based on the juxtaposition of modular elements covered by an arched roof, on which lantern-shape openings stand out and bring zenithal light to the internal space. The use of materials - reinforced concrete, bricks, and large glazed windows - is inspired by principles of simple rationality. The water tower, thanks to its excellent sculptural profile, acts also as an urban landmark for the factory.
During the 1970s and the 1980s, Gho' works again and again on this project on request from the new owner, a machine tools company who retrofits the factory to a new production use.
Bibliography on this work:
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.116-119
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.116-119
| Design drawings and historical photos |
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