Noosphere: between nature and architecture

(September 2024) | Nou Group was originally founded in 2017 as Nousfera lab in Viterbo by architect Daniele Conticchio and three partners with backgrounds in architecture and finance (Alessandro Graziotti, Aurora Del Sette and Emanuele Viani). The group specialises in the design of large public and private buildings, combining its longstanding experience in the clean energy market with civil architecture and engineering works. It also boasts Europe-wide expertise in the design of major photovoltaic power plants.

“The project dates back to 2009 when I developed a professional interest in renewable energy production,” says Daniele Conticchio. “We are currently engaged in designing both public and private infrastructure and are very active in the field of building design, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions. Our core business centres around sustainability, with a specific focus on research and development, and we also design plants that generate energy from renewable sources. While aiming to grow both areas of operation, Nou is expanding into other businesses such as architecture, engineering and civil energy. Through strategic partnerships with major players, Nou is working to establish itself as a key partner in these fields.”

Nou Group is now a highly structured and constantly expanding organisation.

We are currently undergoing major growth, so we take great care to select people who can work with us effectively and make a valuable contribution to our firm. As we expand, we aim to extend beyond national borders to enter new markets and take on new challenges. The Nou Group was established in 2022 and operates across various interconnected areas of architectural and engineering design. A commitment to sustainability and the search for efficient, cutting-edge environmental and energy solutions is a common thread running through all our operations.

So Nou is envisaged as a kind of laboratory or integrated design project.

Nou Group was conceived as a professional hub where success hinges on collaborative teamwork and continuous interaction across various organisational levels. Organised as a “laboratory for progressive thinking”, the firm aims to foster social and environmental awareness through spatial design. The management prioritises the needs of personnel, constantly creating opportunities for professional growth and cultivating strong synergies within the organisation. This leadership approach allows each employee to find their niche within the organisation, leading to a more committed and robust workforce.

What message does the Nou Group want to convey? Why did you choose the name?

The name Nou is inspired by the concept of the Noosphere, which refers to the realm of human thought and the collective consciousness of humanity. The company’s aim is to carry out projects that improve the living experience, whether they involve individual dwellings or broader urban development. These endeavours are designed to harmonize with the natural evolution of both environmental and social contexts.

What type of projects do you carry out?

Nou Group is a green company dedicated to designing infrastructure for renewable energy systems with a strong commitment to sustainability. We aim to contribute to the common goal of a sustainable future. We specialise in renewable energy production and provide architectural and engineering design services for public and private sectors, focusing on sustainability, design, consulting and management. Nou Group has both ongoing and completed projects covering a total of 500 MW of photovoltaic power generation systems across Italy. One of our most significant projects was the construction of a large photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Tuscania, in the province of Viterbo. The plant has a total rated power of 149.99 MW and is connected to the national high-voltage grid. It generates enough electricity entirely from renewable sources to meet the residential energy needs of a city the size of Perugia.Another notable project by Nou Group is the Lazio Region’s Civil Defence Logistics Centre in Capena.

Lazio Region Civil Protection Logistics Centre, Capena (RM), 2019-2020

The complex consists of two buildings, the Multifunctional Centre and the Civil Defence Logistics Centre, which complement each other in terms of composition, shape, proportions, materials and construction technologies. These two large and highly distinctive parallelepipedal volumes are illuminated at night to become a striking and easily recognizable landmark against the surrounding skyline.

Open public spaces are essential to architectural composition, serving as both a filter and an antechamber to the activities occurring within the buildings. These spaces are intensely vegetated and designed to be functional and accessible throughout the year.

The new Bianalisi SpA medical test centre currently under construction in Verano Brianza stands out for its advanced technology and distinctive architectural design. The integration of green spaces and modern elements underscores the client company’s core values of quality, research, technology, and sustainability. The building’s most distinctive feature is the glass prism that emerges from its L-shaped base. The glass panelling reflects the colours of the sky by day, while at night the internal lighting illuminates the expansive interiors, creating a visually striking effect that draws the eye and enables the building to stand out from the surrounding environment. In addition to the analysis laboratories located on the ground and first floors, the building will also house a public testing centre and representative spaces situated on the ground floor on the south side of the building and on the second floor of the taller building. Access to the representative spaces will be via a vertical garden. A further representative space is the reception area on the south mezzanine floor. The building also hosts the Visuale Corelab, an exclusive area where visitors can admire the “chain”, a highly automated, centralised system designed to move test tubes via an integrated automated conveyor. The system forms the operational core of the laboratories and offers significant advantages, including improved response times.

Bianalisi medical test centre, Verano Brianza (MB), 2021 to present

You have said: “The future is difficult to change at the present time if human consciousness does not move towards sustainability. But there is still a possibility. Three things will save the world: curiosity, sustainability and a desire for a future.” Do you see ceramic playing a role in this future?

Ceramic was a material of the past, it remains a material of the present and will continue to be a material of the future. The Italian ceramic industry is highly committed to R&D, with a strong focus on sustainable development. The industry is investing heavily in production and design, ensuring that ceramic will play a pivotal role in shaping both interior and exterior spaces. Ceramic is suitable for use in all types of architecture, especially in contemporary projects.