Rational labyrinth

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Rational labyrinth
Transformation of a mansion into a lawyers’ office, Torino 2011

MARC is commissioned to transform an elegant mansion from the beginning of the 20th century into an efficient contemporary office building. To do that it needs to perform radical and pragmatic interventions, optimizing the use of space. At the same time, it is necessary to respect the existing rooms and preserve their charm, but without being intimidated by their cold classicism – the building is listed, by the way.
The project looks for discretion and neutrality while inserting all the many necessary new elements. Like the new staircase in perforated metal -the trigger of the typological change- that connects seven different levels illuminating them with a big skylight.

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Like the new library, made to grow, to which a whole new level, suspended in the heart of the building, is dedicated. This occupies the very core of the building: the new level is a mezzanine obtained with a very articulated walkway that runs all around the heart of the building, forming a complex grid, a rational labyrinth that maximizes the extension of the bookshelves. The walkway is always detached from the walls, and it has no handrail: it’s the books themselves that provide for safety.

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Design: MARC
Designers: Subhash Mukerjee, Michele Bonino
Partner for engineering: FRED srl
Collaborators: Cristina Cordeschi, Cinthya Luglio
Contractor: De-Ga spa
Client: Studio legale Tosetto, Weigmann e Associati
Surface: 1500 sqm
Photos: Beppe Giardino

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