Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano
Chapman Taylor architetti, Claudio Lucchin & architetti associati, Arch. Mauro dell’Orco
Bolzano
University and Research
44.000 mq
2008 -2017
NOI Techpark is a former industrial site redevelopment project, designed as a zero-impact urban park seamlessly integrated into its surroundings. Today, it stands as one of Italy’s leading innovation hubs, focusing on sustainability, food, digital technologies, the automotive industry, and automation.
The building is located in the southern industrial area of Bolzano, in the former Alumix site, which from 1937 until the late 20th century housed one of Italy’s main aluminum processing plants. Inaugurated in 2017, it hosts four research institutes (Fraunhofer Italia, Eurac Research, Agenzia CasaClima, and the Laimburg Research Center), four faculties of the Free University of Bolzano, scientific laboratories, companies, and startups.
The project preserved two historic buildings that once housed power conversion stations and introduced a striking new element: the Black Monolith, featuring aluminum foam-clad facades as a tribute to the site’s industrial past. The redevelopment also included the renovation of the entrance building, now home to a restaurant/café and a gym serving the complex, as well as the construction of a two-level underground parking facility.
Additionally, the old piezometric tower was restored and remains in operation, supplying process water to the nearby Aluminium Bozen plant. The tower’s water reuse system serves as the primary energy source for producing the hot and cold fluids needed to climatize the entire complex. Adorned with a mural by Polish artist Mariusz Waras (alias M-City), the tower stands at the entrance plaza, directly in front of the Black Monolith, becoming a defining landmark of the area.
After the National Scientific Oncological Center project, already at an advanced stage of construction in Astana (now Nur-Sultan), Manens-Tifs will develop the integrated design of