GBPA ARCHITECTS, an integrated design company managed by the
architects Antonio Gioli and Federica De Leva, has recently been commissioned to design the buildings of the new Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta, the eighth plant of this type in the world
after those of Leipzig, Silverstone, Atlanta, Le Mans, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Hockenheim. Franciacorta will be the largest Porsche Experience Center in the world.
In January of this year, the first details and images of the plant were unveiled, the first in Italy and the eighth of this type in the world after those of Leipzig, Silverstone, Atlanta, Le
Mans, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Hockenheim. Franciacorta will be the largest Porsche Experience Center in the world and will involve an investment of over 26 million euros.
The entire structure is housed on a total area of 559,000 square meters in the area of the current Autodromo di Franciacorta in Castrezzato (near Brescia) and will house the largest Customer
Center in the world (5,600 m2), epicenter of the Porsche Experience Center.
The Customer Center, characterized by large glass surfaces, has an Agorà inside, a multifunctional space of 2,400 square meters dominated by a characteristic suspension bridge, and a Meeting
Center for the organization of conventions and plenary presentations. The reception area will then be completed by the restaurant and the exclusive terrace overlooking the racetrack.
The element that strongly distinguishes the Customer Center space is the large glossy white cover (in line with the Porsche colors) whose redevelopment aims to restore a new image to the existing
building.
The redevelopment project of the Customer Experience Center coverage summarizes and strengthens the concept that guides all interventions in the area, based on the principles of transparency and
dynamism. These distinctive elements are translated on an architectural level in the alternation of opaque surfaces, windows and sunscreens which, in addition to restoring different degrees of
transparency and permeability, create horizontal cuts that accentuate the dynamic performance of the building and bring light inside, ensuring high environmental comfort and giving strength to
the space below.
From the Customer Center opens the large boulevard that connects the visitor to the more technical experiential area: the slopes and the Training Center, a project that is part of an integrated
Masterplan.
The works will involve an investment of over 26 million euros.
The track, obtained from the pre-existing racetrack and totally renewed in the asphalt, will have a length of 2,519 meters. An Off Road route is also planned, consisting of 12 exercises of
increasing difficulty, and an area of over 30,000 square meters dedicated to safe and dynamic driving exercises, including the Low Friction Circle and the Kick Plate. The Low Friction Handling
track has also been recently built, to experience exciting power oversteers in complete safety.
GBPA ARCHITECTS will take care of the redevelopment of some of the
existing buildings and the construction of new spaces. Only the building dedicated to the customer center will be over 5,000 square meters and will have a particularly original architectural
style, never seen before in any other Porsche Experience Center. The track will also be rebuilt with new asphalting and the addition of tracks and yards for all types of dynamic activities, all
according to quality standards and excellence on a par with other PECs in the world.
The largest Porsche Experience Center in the world will be a facility dedicated to passion and innovation, a space open to the public created to welcome customers of the brand and beyond.
For the 20,000 visitors expected each year, the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta will also provide a Simulation Lab dedicated to the driving experience in virtual reality, where it will be
possible to test all the classic and modern Porsche models on the most famous circuits in the world, as well as a track for electric karts.
Events aimed at the general public will also be organized such as motorsport competitions and, specifically, the Carrera Cup Italia, but also club meetings, events and events of partner companies
and, in special spaces, programs for the training of Porsche network personnel in Italy .
The Porsche Experience Center will also host a Training Center dedicated to technical training - specialist of operating personnel in Italy and will be equipped with a special classroom
that will also allow visitors to attend some of the technical sessions as spectators.
With the start of work in Franciacorta, an exciting phase opens: the project will be a cutting-edge structure and able to offer a unique experience to visitors.
Work is expected to be completed in the first few months of 2021.
Virgil Hilts