Nice Smart Factory | Mario Cucinella Architects

The new Brazilian headquarters of Nice, designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, was inaugurated on June 12 in Limeira, Brazil. The building promotes innovation and sustainability and is aimed at improving efficiency and production quality at the Nice smart factory.

Planimetry by MCA

The Concept Of Nice Smart Factory

The design of the building aims to transform the concept of a manufacturing space by replacing the traditional closed structure with a more open and permeable one. This design encourages interaction with the local community and the environment and draws inspiration from traditional Brazilian architectural elements. It also promotes the utilization of passive environmental features and seeks to establish a harmonious relationship between the built space and nature.

©Duccio Malagamba

The complex in Brazil serves as both the headquarters for Nice and one of the Group’s International Research & Development Centers. The building is 20,000 square meters and is designed to achieve LEED certification. It is a sustainable industrial architecture and a smart factory based on the principles of Industry 4.0. This approach uses new technologies to improve working conditions, create a sustainable business model, and increase factory efficiency and production quality.

©Duccio Malagamba

The Iconic Roof Of Nice Smart Factory

The roof’s design is influenced by the form of a tropical leaf, providing shade and protection to the plants and activities below. It is supported by thin columns.

©Duccio Malagamba

The main frontage of the project is well-lit by natural daylight and is the defining feature. Inside, there are two office floors, as well as common areas and spaces for training, showrooms, and an atrium. The atrium has a cantilevered roof and a large window that allows visitors to observe the manufacturing area at the back, similar to a show factory.

©Duccio Malagamba

Apart from the production areas, there is a separate section for employees that can be reached through a network of elevated walkways in the forest. This section includes an outdoor kitchen where traditional churrasco grilling can be done.

©Duccio Malagamba

Nice Brazil’s headquarters was built in alignment with the Energy Policy of Nice Group, which focuses on energy efficiency and environmental awareness. The company’s goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from energy consumption by 50% by 2025 and achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2030. This reduction trajectory is in line with international targets to limit global warming below 2°C.

©Duccio Malagamba

The headquarters building is designed to be in harmony with the local climate. It acts as a bioclimatic machine, maximizing its interaction with the environment. This integration helps enhance the comfort of its occupants while minimizing the need for mechanical systems.

©Duccio Malagamba

The new building in Limeira is designed to minimize energy consumption using active and passive measures that take advantage of the favorable climate. This showcases Nice’s commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions. The building has the potential to operate without relying on the electricity grid during certain times of the year.

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The production area does not need heating or cooling because it has thermal mass and natural ventilation. Despite not having an active system, it still provides a comfortable environment due to various passive systems. It is protected from direct sunlight but has enough lighting and natural ventilation from high-level roof lights.

©Duccio Malagamba

The building’s iconic roof serves multiple purposes. It acts as a passive environmental control device, providing shade from direct solar radiation during the hottest months of the year. Additionally, it protects the building’s facades from direct sunlight and allows diffused natural light to enter the internal spaces. The roof also features openable sections that facilitate natural ventilation for about two-thirds of the year. From an architectural standpoint, the roof shapes the external space it is in contact with, seamlessly integrating the outdoors into the interior of the building. In the inner courtyard, the roof acts as a “canon lumière,” directing natural light and improving the visual comfort of the surrounding spaces. This creates a direct connection with the outdoors.

©Duccio Malagamba

The roof serves as a climatic mitigation tool for outdoor areas. It creates transitional spaces that regulate the microclimate between the inside and outside. Additionally, it provides shaded areas that enhance thermal comfort.

©Duccio Malagamba

The landscaping design enhances the building’s connection to the local climate and environment by showcasing the diverse Brazilian Bioma Cerrado, including grassland, savannah, and forest. This design not only increases biodiversity but also helps manage rainwater through the creation of ponds and pools that redirect runoff to a lower basin.