Trespa Meteon creates a dramatic design

Inpek’s new corporate headquarters in Vipiteno is unique. The building, for Trespa’s partner in Italy, is designed to be a stunning piece of architecture which blends closely with its environment and showcases Trespa exterior and interior panel products in an unusual way.

The new offices and showroom, designed by well-known Italian architect Enrico Massagrande, is situated in an area of spectacular beauty near the Brenner pass and the border with Austria. The architect’s concept was for a building which would reflect and complement the landscape. For example, the front elevation is angled to reflect the irregular character of the site. He was particularly interested in exploiting the use and potential of Trespa Meteon and Virtuon panels. To achieve all this, the final design is a bold statement of long life, durability and interesting materials.

Seen from a distance, Inpek is dominated by a dramatic backdrop of mountains, bare rock and fir-trees and the ever-changing colours of the seasons. It is this geology and colour that the architect has tried to echo in the elevations of the building using bands of dark and light Trespa Meteon panels. Occasionally, the rigid geometric pattern of wall and window is broken up by other full height walls of irregularly cut and coloured Trespa Meteon panels.

The most dominant feature is the so-called ‘Wave of life’, which winds around the building and is also made from Trespa Meteon panels. Here, architect Massagrande has again tried to symbolize nature, particularly the way natural elements present irregular, undulating and interesting forms. Along the main entrance, quartz pebbles have been used as a reminder of streams and to reflect the light. At night, the whole effect gives the appearance of an artificial wood. All this is designed to stimulate the imagination.

Inside, the building continues the dialogue with nature, starting at the entrance with grass coloured carpet to present a seamless flow between exterior and interior. Large windows continually capture sight of the exterior Trespa Meteon wave feature while every opportunity is taken to exploit the view of the landscape and mountains. Nature enters the building and is reflected in colours, forms and light throughout so that it invades and influences everything from the largest space to the smallest detail. The result is an extraordinary portfolio of unique shapes, colours and textures where abstract ideas are mixed with functional and conventional images. These stimulate the visitor in their detailing and application and, at the same time, act as a spectacular showroom for Trespa products.

Erich Klammer, general manager of Inpek says’ ‘We think we have achieved our objective – to present innovative developments and ideas to architects, designers and other visitors and demonstrate what is possible with Trespa panels - all within a very functional but aesthetically pleasing building.’

Construction

The construction of Inpek was a challenge to structural engineers. This was not only because of the building’s unusual design but also because the site was weak, consisting of soft peat and soil several meters thick. In order to prevent subsidence and spread the load, over 400 piles, each 14m long, were sunk. The dramatic ‘Wave of life’ feature in Meteon also required very detailed design, engineering and manufacture. In order to fix the panels, an innovative mechanical and invisible fixing system was specially developed. Complicated three-dimensional calculations for the design of the paneled vanes, some up to 9.5m high, were necessary to ensure that they would deflect and resist the pressure of the wind. Each incorporates lighting to enhance the feature at night.

Trespa panels

The panel is based on thermosetting resin, homogeneously reinforced with 70% wood fibres and manufactured under high pressure and high temperature. This results in a panel which is very tough and exceptionally durable, with dimensional stability and workability similar to hardwood. The smooth, non-porous surface resists the accumulation of dirt and retains its high physical performance and appearance in any weather or in extremes of temperature. The high impact-resistance of the panel means that it cannot easily be damaged, scratched or abused and is easy to clean.

The Trespa Meteon range of exterior architectural panels is available in many different colours, effects and finishes or in specials. The interior version, Trespa Virtuon, is used for lining walls, working surfaces, lockers and built-in furniture. It is particularly suitable for high traffic areas and heavy duty use. Many aesthetic variations are possible because of the wide choice of colours, textures and metallic surfaces.

A new source of design

Trespa Perspectives is a new source of inspiration for architects, designers and specifiers – the means to stimulate new ideas and realise new designs. By visiting http://perspectives.trespa.com and clicking on Projects, they can meet other imaginative architects and designers who have already been inspired by the Perspectives concept and have used it for some of today’s most exciting building façades.

Visitors to the website start with a click and end up with inspiration!

Reader enquiries

Trespa International b.v.
P.O. Box 110
6000 AC Weert
Netherlands
+31 495 458 353
P.Waterschoot@​trespa.com

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Notes for editors

Trespa

Trespa International, with head office in Weert, The Netherlands, specialises in the manufacture of high quality panels for exterior cladding, interior surfaces and other applications. Trespa has the expertise and in-house resources to provide specific products for many different applications and markets. In addition to their exceptional performance, Trespa products offer the specifier and user the very widest choice of designs, colours and surface textures.