The project proposal for the future MTCC – Manufacturing Technology and Competence Center of Turin – a meeting hub between the world of small and medium-sized enterprises, a research and training centre, and services such as business incubators and accelerators related to manufacturing 4.0 – was developed in parallel with the candidature of the Competence Center of Piedmont to the ministerial call Industria 4.0 created to finance the creation of meeting platforms between the world of small and medium-sized enterprises, university and research.
The winning CCP project, led by the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Turin and a consortium of 24 companies, proposes a space dedicated to research, experimentation, prototyping and the training of new high-level professionals through five physical and virtual pilot lines.
The CCP is a meeting and exchange platform where small businesses can access know-how on innovation and production processes in the manufacturing sector.
2017- 2019
Caterina Barioglio, Carlo Musso, Emanuele Protti, Klaudia Penkala, Lorenzo Rabagliati, Giulia Ravera, Michele Simonetti
Equiter, Camera di Commercio, Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT, Unione Industriale, Università di Torino, Città di Torino, Regione Piemonte
Technology transfer
Following this first phase, the scenario for the future MTCC opens up with the aim of complementing and intensifying the CC programme, creating a hub of knowledge and services to bring together various companies, start-ups, research centres, training centres, incubators and business accelerators, all linked to manufacturing 4.0.
The proposed programme aims not only to create a new innovation hub for the manufacturing sector, but also a networking centre for higher education and knowledge open to the city, with services such as coworking, workshops and event spaces open to the public.
The first MTCC project scenario, put together by Equiter with the collaboration of FULL, was promoted by the main public and private institutions of Turin’s business and academic sphere: the Chamber of Commerce, Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT, Unione Industriali, the Polytechnic University of Turin and the University of Turin, with the support of the City of Turin and the Piedmont Region.
Method
The research method used by FULL for the first proposal of the future MTCC is structured into the following points:
Best practice and international cases studies
The first research phase focused on the analysis of new and heterogeneous forms of manufacturing 4.0, with a special focus on the organisation and division of production phases and their spatial and logistical organisation.
This first phase of the research was also enhanced by the analysis of best practices and international case studies that are very heterogeneous in terms of location, pre-existing buildings and types of buildings, implementation processes, strategies and project solutions, in order to investigate a diversified panorama of organisational and spatial models and governance functioning.
The selected cases – MTC based in Coventry, RDM in Rotterdam, Arena 2036 in Stockard, New Lab in NYC and Station F in Paris – are analysed through a common grid based on the following points:
The comparative analysis of these five projects allowed the first layout of the future MTCC to be defined based on the concept of an incremental and scalable matrix.
The aim was to create an open, flexible system capable of adapting quickly to different programming of uses and functions, and at the same time being incremental over time so as to include new stakeholders and their demands for surfaces and volumes.
The structure of the matrix allowed an initial layout to be defined, divided into macro sectors – offices, laboratories, production areas, training rooms, halls and common areas – within which the spaces dedicated to the various players were divided: companies, research and training centres, and other services, taking into account their different dimensional/spatial, environmental and logistical requirements.
At the same time, each space is made hybrid and flexible in order to adapt over time to new uses, functions and types of spaces for teaching (e.g. hands-on teaching, spaces for student challenges etc.) and research (e.g. Interdepartmental Centres of the Polytechnic University of Turin).
Matrix of analysis
In parallel to this first phase, the selection of possible industrial areas within the perimeters of the City of Turin able to host the future MTCC began.
As with the comparables, the analysis of the areas was based on a comparison matrix structured according to specific indices and indicators:
From this analysis, the Steering Committee indicated the Mirafiori area – Ex Dai and Ex Gommatura – as the first candidate site for the initiative, thanks also to the Politecnico’s desire to strengthen the current Design Campus.
Flexible layout
Given the characteristics of the area and the point structure of the two existing buildings, the first concept of the flexible and incremental grid over time, developed in the first phase of the study, is taken up and strengthened.
The proposed layout for the selected area is conceived, both in plan and vertically, as a three-dimensional matrix covered by a single equipped roof under which light volumes are organised as separate pieces dedicated to the different activities required by the different players.
The organisational system of the grid makes it possible to divide the large space (hangar) into three sectors: the backbone of the offices and classrooms located along the Ex Dai building; the platform space where the light volumes dedicated to production, the various laboratories of the research and training centres and the makers’ spaces can be located; and the volumes for additional services designed both for centre users and for external users.
The connective space between the different sectors is conceived as the main backbone connecting the different elements, but at the same time as a hybrid space for light functions or as an additional space to extend the individual volumes if necessary.
The incremental model over time allows the programme of uses, activities offered, services and players involved to be expanded, increasing the site’s potential and its relationship with the city.