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Campus Reti: reading the present,
inventing the future
Located in a former cotton mill, the Reti
headquarters interprets the new direction of the
company that has become a reference point for
innovative technological solutions
For over 20 years, and with over 300 certified consultants,
Reti has helped clients to discover new business opportunities
through the invention, design and development of innovative
technological solutions.
Constant growth during the last decade convinced
management to look for a new facility that would help take
the professionals working in the firm towards a new operative
approach, driven by the exchange of ideas and know-how.
The choice went to a former cotton mill located in the center of
Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese; a complex marked by
the presence of production facilities made in different periods,
and directly connected to the historic villa at the edge of the
block, which functions as a connection between the “industrial
citadel” and the urban center.
“As soon as we began to look for a new headquarters, we
decided not to focus on already developed solutions, but
to look at properties that could be transformed, to make
them become our ‘home’ – says Bruno Paneghini, president
of Reti. – The first purchase, 12 years ago, was the historic
‘villa,’ which after major renovation could contain about 70
professionals. Our way of operating has changed radically
over time; while in the early years we worked above all on
data processing consulting at the facilities of clients, which
did not require particularly large spaces of our own, the
market has evolved towards a demand for services provided
by a specialized team working inside our headquarters. This
led to the idea of creating Campus Reti, with a series of
industrial buildings adjacent to the villa, capable of absorbing
the growth of the company which in the near future will have
over 600 professionals, thanks to our ecosystem boosted by
new talent recruited from the world of higher education, who
then specialize inside the company thanks to our Academy,
taking part in our many projects. The Campus has to increase
the channels of communication and a sense of belonging.
Our most valuable resource is people, so we have created a
stimulating, appealing working environment for them. The next
step will be to transform it into a social environment based
on a new idea of the workplace. The project, done in-house,
focused on the creation of flexible and high-tech offices that
function as accelerators of ideas. For a company like ours
that produces immaterial assets, it was also fundamental
to communicate, through the facility, a very characteristic,
memorable vision.”
From industrial production to production of ideas
The history of the cotton mill began in the late 1800s, with the
creation of one of the largest and most active production plants
in the city, covering the entire manufacturing cycle: from the
processing of the raw material to the finished product. The block
of about 40,000 m2 features a close bond between production
and residence, with the presence of the villa and the housing
for the workers along the outer perimeter, while the industrial
buildings are mostly in the inner zone, facing the streets of the
urban center. Today Campus Reti has an area of 15,000 m2 of
industrial buildings, connected by a spine of outdoor paths.
“The design idea is that of the campus, a complex of buildings
with room for different functions and activities, to round out
a corporate setting which from data processing has opened
towards new directions – says the architect Elena Ciapparelli
of Reti. – Every building has its own character, which has
been enhanced in the project with the goal of bringing value
to the city and to the people who work in these buildings
every day. The refurbishing of the villa avoided disruption of
the historic architecture, bringing it back to life instead. The
project underlines the different purposes of the industrial
buildings, converting the facilities facing the street, with their
greater magnetism, for the activities in contact with the outside
world. The buildings with a particular aesthetic charm, like the
power plant, take on a central role as gathering places. The red
thread of Campus Reti is the passion for art and beauty. The
architectural and layout choices were made in collaboration with
several artists, whose works and installations have enabled us to
create spaces that communicate the value of the Campus.”
The layout of the offices reflects the functions operating inside
the company. The administrative functions, which require less
movement, are placed inside the villa, which by definition has
more rigid spaces; the work groups connected with different
projects, which require greater mobility, are organized inside the
industrial buildings, with spaces that permit great flexibility of
use. The operative areas are organized in open-plan areas with
dividers that create a partial separation of the work islands. The
concept of a factory of professionals is conveyed by the close
connection between the training areas and the operative zones,
to activate ongoing exchange of ideas and knowledge. Besides
the work and training spaces, there is a building – the first to be
completed – set aside for meeting rooms, an auditorium and a
zone for events with a professional kitchen.
Technology plays a leading role: the buildings are
interconnected and automated by a central system
that improves functioning, comfort and consumption of
resources. The audio-video systems also have central
control, to create a leitmotif with the digital signage to
accompany visitors through the spaces.
“The chromatic choices developed in collaboration with the
artists focus on neutral tones, including fair-face concrete – says
Arch. Ciapparelli. – The conduits for the physical plant systems
have not been concealed, a choice that is both aesthetic and
functional, because it permits greater spatial flexibility, allowing
for transformations without disrupting the building.
The furnishings have been selected to meet criteria of quality
and originality, working with international partners and local
artisans to create new custom solutions. This is the same
modus operandi applied by Reti in its consulting work: services
geared to the needs of the client.”
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