explores the design challenges and opportunities of sustainable and socially integrated workspaces
As companies like Amazon announce a full return to the office
with CEO Andy Jassy stating in a detailed letter that early 2025 will mark the return of all employees on-site five days a week
shares insights on creating collaborative and environmentally conscious work environments
These spaces are designed to adapt to evolving needs and promote community connections
Monica Tricario: Addressing a large-scale return to the office presents a complex yet stimulating challenge for office space design
offers tangible social and relational benefits
and helps build more cohesive work communities
we cannot overlook the environmental impact of this change
The challenge will be to design work environments that are not only efficient and comfortable but also encourage sustainable transportation options
We must rethink spaces to accommodate a new normal
balancing the need for in-person collaboration with a reduced ecological footprint
The design has focused on harmonious integration with the external environment
benefiting not only the workers within the building but also strengthening its connection to the surrounding community
Public areas and pedestrian pathways around the complex have been designed to encourage the flow between the inside and the outside
inviting the community to feel part of this innovative ecosystem
Another significant example of our design philosophy is the urban regeneration project in the Bicocca district
we took an existing building and radically transformed it to open up to the local context
This is not just an aesthetic improvement; it is an intervention that fosters continuous dialogue between those working inside the building and the neighborhood itself
We have created accessible common spaces that invite both employees and local residents to interact
breaking the monotony of old closed buildings and transforming them into hubs of activity
has been transformed into a green garden that invites people to gather and participate in events or simply enjoy a moment of relaxation
The facades have been opened up and made more transparent
facilitating visual interaction and contact between the inside and outside
This approach has turned the workplace into a vital center for work life and the social life of the neighborhood
integrating work activities with community activities and creating a vital circuit of interaction and exchange that enriches all who participate
we employ solutions that maximize energy efficiency
such as advanced technologies for internal climate control
These measures enhance efficiency and support long-term sustainability
The choice of materials plays a crucial role in reducing environmental impact
Innovative materials help in thermal and acoustic insulation
improving comfort without sacrificing efficiency
choosing less invasive methods for the environment
we see the regeneration of existing buildings as an opportunity to reduce the use of new resources and lower the impact of demolition and reconstruction
This approach ensures that our projects are sustainable and adaptable to future needs
The largest diffusion magazine in the luxury & design world
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Duomo di Milano
A beautiful Saint Michael symbolically retraces the “Marble Road” to Castelletto Sopra Ticino (NO)
the material from which the entire Cathedral of Milan is made and whose name comes from the quarry found at the mouth of the Ossola Valley
is made up of age-old historical links with the surrounding territory
Each block of marble destined for the Duomo’s construction would navigate the waters of the river Ticino from the quarry down to the Darsena in Milan
where at that time there was a old marble workshop teeming with artisans and workers
It was here that they laboured on and adorned the marble that was finally to be placed on the Monument
a precious “piece” of this history will retrace this current
not far from the banks of the river where at one time the boats and barges cut through the waves
transporting the Candoglia blocks engraved with the famous acronym AUF (Ad Usum Fabricae
hence the Milanese expression “a ufo” meaning free of charge)
It is here that Techbau
a leading company in the engineering and construction sector
will exhibit the 17th-century statue depicting “Saint Michael and the devil” for a year with the possibility of extending the loan
Saint Michael will greet those who pass through the company’s atrium
just as the innumerable statues of Milan Duomo have always done: silently observing and watching over the many worshippers
and visitors who walk under the shadow of the Cathedral every day
“Adopt a Statue” is an opportunity for important enhancement that gives new life to these masterpieces of art and it has been made possible also thanks to the collaboration of the Superintendence of Archaeology
Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Milan
Lotus isn’t known for making cars bogged down by luxuries and gimmicks
but the featherweight open-wheel 340R makes the company’s driver’s cars seem like overly plush comfort cruisers by comparison
The Lotus 340R is an extreme and unusual machine
and two decades after its debut it’s still about as close to a kart as cars get
itself a spartan design dedicated to driving purity
the 340R ratcheted that ethos to another level
and is very much in line with Colin Chapman’s philosophies that moulded the manufacturer’s identity
you’d be forgiven for thinking that this car was intended purely for circuits
and while a weekend trackway is probably the best place to spot a 340R
The example featured here ratchets up the car’s stats further still
achieving a claimed 192hp compared to the standard 177hp produced by the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter inline-four
The additional power is courtesy of the optional Sport Pack
which adds a Janspeed exhaust among other minor tweaks
This car is also one of only 43 lefthand-drive examples built from the scant total production run of 340 units (the car’s name was originally conceived as a reference to the targeted power to weight ratio—340hp per ton—but when that figure wasn’t attained in the production version
Lotus decided to keep the name and build the corresponding number of units instead)
Enthusiasts at the time weren’t concerned when it was announced that the power-to-weight fell short of the target
evidenced by the fact that all 340 units were spoken for prior to the model’s release in the year 2000
The car was clearly intended for drivers in search of performance by way of lightness rather than power
but the 340R wasn’t a straight line slouch either
able to deliver the 0-60 sprint in less than 4.5 seconds
which was faster than some of the era’s purported supercars
hardly anything with a license plate bracket could touch this Lotus in its day
Its gallop was delivered by a 1.8-liter Rover K-series engine
it was based out of the city’s famous Longbridge suburb
which had begun automotive manufacture in 1905
The variant used in the 340R is referred to as the VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative)
which incorporates the 1796cc in-line four-cylinder configuration with dual overhead camshafts and 10.5:1 compression
Lotus also equipped the power plant with its own electronic fuel injection system
Maximum power is produced at a rather shouty 7,800rpm
while its peak torque of 146lb-ft is reached at 5,000rpm
there’s not much fun to be had without letting the tach do a nearly full sweep before shifting up—top speed was nothing to write home about at around 130mph
this is a Lotus very much in keeping with the company’s lightweight mandate
and with a curb weight of just about 1450lbs (~ 658kg)
the car was built to carve up race tracks and mountain roads
rear-wheel drive configuration and specially spec’d Yokohama semi-slicks developed for the 340R
the lithe little Lotus provided extreme levels of traction
enabling it to carry its speed through the corners to a degree that would have even its slightly heavier Hethel brethren drifting off of the racing line
Test drive reports at the time of the 340R’s release praised its all but complete absence of understeer
and thanks to its lightness and appropriately matched power output
one didn’t need to be traveling at multiples of the speed limit to enjoy its mechanical talents
The semi-slick Yokohama A038 LTS tires are wrapped around 10-spoke magnesium alloy wheels covering 282mm AP Racing discs
suspended by dual wishbones front and rear working with adjustable Koni shock absorbers
The bonded aluminum chassis is a longtime Lotus staple—ain’t broke
while the exterior is specific to the 340R save for a few carryover components like the insectoid headlights
An interesting bit of parts-bin trivia is the fact that mirrors are from an Aprilia RSV 1000 motorcycle
as you can see from above or through the clear non-doors from the side
with driver and sole passenger retained by a bucket seat and four-point harness from the factory
There is little to be distracted by inside this car
it was also commonly said that when driven flat out for prolonged periods of time
the radiator mounted in the front of the car could transfer a great deal of heat into the cabin
which might be a welcome source of warmth if you find yourself winding around in high-altitude in the roofless 340R
The car was initially launched as a concept at Birmingham’s Motor Show in 1998 but demand meant that a production version was announced a little over a year later
the 304R sold for £35,000 (~$46,500) and the 340R in our photoshoot was bought by its current owner—the car’s second—at Lotus Cerini in Castelletto Sopra Ticino
Though they are rare sites anywhere in the world
the majority of the 340R’s production run went to Europe and Japan
with reportedly less than 10 initially making their way to the US
finding a 340R for resale in the US will be very hard work
you can expect to find a 340R going at auction for anywhere between $55,000 up to around $95,000 given the relative illiquidity of the car’s market
it’s still a good value—besides the fact that this is a limited edition car that epitomizes the ethos of one of the world’s foremost creators of racing and sports car history
it’s a sublime driving experience that blurs the lines between go-karts and sports cars
And it looks a hell of a lot better than the typical exoskeleton cars that have taken the mantle since
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Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the north of Italy
This third largest lake in the country is located in the northern border area and also flows through part of Switzerland
Popular lakeside holiday destinations include Locarno
From a small-scale campsite to a luxury family campsite: what are the most beautiful campsites around Lake Maggiore
it is and remains a challenging and beautiful holiday destination. Shopping
climbing or lying by the lake: there is plenty to see and experience
We understand that you want to know where you really need to be. That's why we have exclusively for the readers of This is Italy the best campsites around Lake Maggiore selected
Discover the facilities and amenities of these campsites and what to do in the area
Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland and one of the nicer campsites in this area: Camping Lago Maggiore
this campsite is 8 hectares in size and has approximately 200 pitches
and therefore a favorite among Dutch and Flemish people
At Camping Lago Maggiore it is also possible to rent a mobile home, safari tent or rent a bungalow tent
Take a refreshing dip in the pool and let the little ones play in the children's pool
There is no shortage of sports activities: from boules to bicycle rental
The nearest town is Arona. Climb the spiral staircase of the large statue of Charles Borromeo 23 meters up
From here you have a breathtaking view over the castle of Angera and Lake Maggiore
View Campsite Lake Maggiore
Camping Valle Romantica is the oldest campsite on Lake Maggiore
this is not reflected in the special design
This campsite is located in the middle of a botanical garden with beautiful flowers
The green location is therefore very popular with nature lovers
Valle Romantica is a small-scale campsite with 188 pitches
There is a large playground for the kids and various sports options
This campsite is located 1,5 km from Lake Maggiore and directly on a river with a pebble beach
Visit the medieval town of Cannobio with its cozy squares and old churches
The site is close to the border of Switzerland
View Camping Valle Romantica
Holiday park Village Continental Lido is now called Camping Village Continental
This is a pleasant shady site located directly on Lago di Mergozzo
This smaller lake used to be part of Lake Maggiore and is therefore nearby
There is sufficient space on the campsite: 343 pitches
For lunch and dinner there is a restaurant and the option of takeaway dishes
You will find cosiness in the pool bar or beach bar
Of course there is also a grocery store and free Wi-Fi at the central facilities
Water rats can enjoy the swimming pool with water slide
Because this campsite is located directly on the lake
there are also many opportunities for canoeing and pedal boating
Animation is available for the youth in the languages Dutch
What is there to do in the immediate vicinity
Get to know the small and shallow Lake Mergozzo
Be sure to visit the villages of Mergozzo and Fondotoce di Verbania
Here you can dream away on a terrace or enjoy a real Italian ice cream
View Camping Village Continental
Camping Isolino is a spacious family campsite with more than 450 pitches and many facilities
Don't feel like taking the tent or caravan with you
In the summer months there is an international animation team
The 1.600 square meter swimming pool guarantees hours of swimming fun
Camping Isolino is located directly on Lake Maggiore and has a beautiful sandy beach
You can also visit the bar or pool bar (also for lunch)
Discover typical Italian products in the camping supermarket
Tip: Take a mini cruise or boat excursion on Lake Maggiore
View Campsite Isolino
Also directly on Lake Maggiore is Camping Lido Verbano
It is also possible to rent a mobile home or bungalow tent
Wi-Fi is available at the central facilities for a fee
but in principle that is not necessary with Lake Maggiore at your feet
Beach volleyball or table tennis: there is plenty to do
The campsite even has a number of tennis courts
There is also entertainment in the summer period (in English and Italian)
The popular town of Arona is a 15-minute drive away. You can also go to Stresa. From here you can take a boat trip to the Borromean Islands. Once in Milan been
View Camping Lido Verbano
Are you not looking for a massive camping site
but more in a cozy and well-organized holiday park for the whole family
which is located about 800 meters from Lake Maggiore
If you stay at this small-scale holiday park
you can also use all the facilities of Camping Conca d'Oro (see further on in this list with the most beautiful campsites on Lake Maggiore)
which is located directly on the lake and has its own sandy beach
The managers of the holiday park are friendly and hospitable
From the park you can easily make boat trips and trips
For example to the Borromean Islands or to the Val Grande National Park
There is plenty to do in the towns of Verbania
View Camping Lido Verbano
Camping Solcio is also a somewhat smaller and quieter campsite
which is located directly on Lake Maggiore and has its own sandy beach
On the beach you will find sunbeds and umbrellas that can be used free of charge
The waterfront is safe for small children because it is shallow here
Would you like to go canoeing or pedal boating
There are also cozy dance evenings with lots of music and cheerful Italian entertainment
The site also has an excellent restaurant where even locals from the area come to eat
The campsite offers the possibility to rent mobile homes
View Campsite Solcio
Conca d'Ora is a very beautifully landscaped campsite
This is located directly on a sandy beach on the lake
You will find many special and modern accommodations here to rent
The campsite is located in the middle of nature and has a great view of Lake Maggiore
In the evening you see all those beautiful lights burning and you look at the island in the lake
Click Camping Village Conca d'Oro
green and level campsite with beautiful camping pitches (spacious by Italian standards) in the shade
You'll also find some accommodations to rent here (be there early if you want a rental property)
The campsite has a lovely private beach that slopes gently into the cooling waters of Lake Maggiore
You will find more water fun in the swimming pool of this campsite
The animation team also does its best to make your children happy
View Campsite Orchidea
A holiday on Lake Maggiore offers a mix of activity and relaxation
One of the most beautiful sights around Lake Maggiore are the Borromean Islands
These are a number of islands between Stresa and Verbania
The largest island is Isola Madre with a beautiful palace and botanical garden
This island can be visited from March to October
be sure to take the funicular from Piazzale Lido to Mottarone
The breathtaking view will remain on your retina forever
The largest town on Lake Maggiore is Verbania
This place is best known for its 16 hectares of botanical garden with more than 18.000 plant species
Timelapse video Verbania on Lake Maggiore:
Do you have another favorite campsite on Lake Maggiore
Then tell us what your most beautiful campsite is
Other tips for sights or activities around Lake Maggiore are also welcome
campingsItalian Lakeslake maggioremost beautiful campsites
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