Two architecture firms shortlisted in competition to build a home for S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

Two of the world’s most distinguished architecture firms have been shortlisted today in a tender to build S.Pellegrino’s new home on the site of its original plant in northern Italy, where the natural mineral water has been bottled since 1899.

The shortlist follows a presentation by four architecture firms on 15 September at San Pellegrino Terme in northern Italy. The event was the culmination of an international-scale tender to secure a truly innovative project that not only conveys an artistic vision, but also sets new standards in terms of efficiency and compliancy to environmental sustainability, all while providing an optimum working environment.

The four architecture firms on the tender, each renowned for their innovative and futuristic projects, were: New York & Copenhagen’s BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Holland’s MVRDV, Oslo & New York-based Snøhetta and Italy’s Michele De Lucchi.

The judging committee were so impressed by the four proposals that they decided to narrow their selection to a shortlist of two and deliberate further before announcing the winning project early next year.

Curated by Professor Luca Molinari the judging committee is comprised of Marco Settembri, Executive Vice President Nestlé S.A., Head of Nestlé Waters Magdi Batato, Executive Vice President Nestlé S.A., Head of Operations, Stefano Agostini, President & CEO of Sanpellegrino S.p.A in addition to international personalities.

The two shortlisted firm’s proposals are:

BIG 

BIG is a Copenhagen and New York based group of architects, designers, builders, and thinkers operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, interior design, landscape design, product design, research and development.

The renowned firm is famous for its innovative VIA 57 West building in New York, the 2016 Serpentine Gallery in London, the Shanghai Expo Danish Pavilion as well as the under construction Google Campus and Two World Trade Center building in New York.

Their proposal embraces and enhances the architecture of the existing factory while at the same time forming an elegant framework that will allow the visitors to sense the power and purity of the surrounding Alpine nature.

The proposal’s design is focused around a series of expanding and contracting internal archways that create a multitude of spaces like majestic vaults, covered tunnels, arcades and green pergolas, whilst at the same time providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

At the centre of the campus, a giant geological sample will visualise the natural water’s 30-year journey during which it acquires minerals and achieves the pure flavour that is unique to S.Pellegrino.

Watch BIG founder partner Bjarke Ingels explain their proposal in his own words: 

MVRDV

Founded in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries this internationally awarded and renowned Dutch-based firm focuses on providing solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues.

Some of their most notable buildings include the El Mirador in Madrid, Rotterdam’s Market Hall, the Netherlands’ Pavilion for the World Expo 2000 in Hannover, the Spijkenisse Book Mountain, DNB Headquarters and Bjørvika Barcode Masterplan in Oslo.

Their proposal is centred around the famous and historic S.Pellegrino star. Their aim is to make the centre of the new complex (‘Experience Lab’) as iconic as the brand’s internationally recognised bottles.

The ambitious project includes a giant raised star with transparent sides that will allow visitors to admire the surrounding valley. The star’s roof will be covered with water which can be turned into a massive cooling waterfall in the hotter summer months.

The project also includes a more open glass façade than the current factory buildings that allows views of the surrounding nature, plus a rooftop restaurant and a pedestrian bridge.

Watch MVRDV co-founder Winy Maas explain their proposal in his own words: 

The winning project will be announced in January 2017.

Updates on project phases will be available on www.sanpellegrino.com and on S.Pellegrino’s social media channels with the hashtag #SanPellegrinoNewHome.