Fiat "Cinquecento's House" opened in Turin, huge roof garden ... Former factory redevelopment
On September 22, 2021, the Stellantis Group's Fiat brand opened new facilities "Casa 500" and "La Pista500" in Turin, Italy.
That rooftop test course transforms
"Casa Cinquecento", which means "(Fiat) 500 House" in Italian, is a release following the virtual version that was previously released on the web in July 2020.
Approximately 700 square meters on one floor of "Pinacotheca Agnelli (Agnelli Painting Museum)" in the former Fiat Lingotto factory redevelopment building is used. Three generations, the 1957 model that became the driving force of motorization after World War II, the 2007 model that appeared as a Cinquecento in the 21st century, and the EV version "500e (or Nuova 500/500 Ellet Rica)" in 2020. "500" is introduced in 8 themes.
At the center of the exhibition room is a wooden mockup for development, which was built in 1956 and was previously stored by the FCA Heritage Department. As an example, The Legacy focuses on the industrial and cultural heritage value of the Fiat 500. In the "Made of Italy", the Fiat 500 overturns the norm of car design, along with successive Italian industrial design products such as Richard Zapper / Marco Zanuso's Ultimide lamp and Ettore Sottsass's Olivetti typewriter. It appeals that it has changed its perception.
In the video archive, Roberto Jolito (currently FCA Heritage representative), who was in charge of designing the 2007 model 500, picked up a Hasselblad camera and a household espresso coffee boiler "Mocha", which made people's lifestyles. As it changed, the 1957 500 also suggests that it has changed the lives of Italians. At the same time, he emphasizes that the design of the 2nd and 3rd generations is not just a nostalgic hobby, but a result of always seeking evolution and a better lifestyle.Casa Cinquecento
In the history zone, you can browse various video contents related to the successive Fiat 500 such as interviews, advertisements, events, awards and so on. The collection of sketches and images can trace the evolution of design and the trajectory that Fiat entrusted to the 500 of the third generation.
At the presentation venue using the rooftop heliport of the Ringot Building, in addition to Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, Ginevra Elkan Chairman of the Anyelli Painting Museum, John Elkann Chairman of Stellantis, the rock band "U2" Vocalist Bono also attended. Bono, co-founder of the Red Foundation, which uses a portion of the company's revenue for social philanthropy, described the Fiat facility as a "sexy and smart plan." To contribute to his red activities, Fiat announced on the same day a new specification "Nuwava (500) RED" that uses red for the body color, seats, acceleration pedals, etc. based on the 500e. The domestic price in Italy is 22,800 euros. From left: Fiat CEO and Stellantis CMO Olivier François, Ginevra Elkann Chairman of the Agnelli Painting Museum, singer and (RED) co-founder Bono, (RED) President and CEO Jennifer Rotito, and Stellantis John. Elkann President, Lapo Elkann.
Another new facility, "La Pista Cinquecento (500 courses)", planted about 40,000 plants on the old test course that remained on the roof of the old Lingotto factory redevelopment building, 27,000 square meters. It was opened as a rooftop garden with a total length of 1km. The project was attended by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, who made a name for himself in the 2004 wooden-covered tower condominium "Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest)" in Milan.
As a unique car factory
Construction of the Lingotto factory began in 1916, the 17th year since Fiat was founded. At that time, it was still a rural area in the southern suburbs. It has 5 floors above ground and a total length of 500 m in the longitudinal direction, and was designed by Italian architect Giacomo Matteotti. Completed in 1922, six years later. The following May 1923, the inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Vittorio Emanuele III, the third king of the former Kingdom of Italy.Fiat 500F and Fiat Lingotto Factory
It was a unique automobile factory in the world, where the process was divided into floors, and after completion, a running test was conducted on a rooftop test course with a total length of about 1 km, and then the slope was hung down. There was also a railroad base for shipping on the side of the building.
Le Corbusier, one of the three great masters of modern architecture, visited the Lingotto factory several times before and after World War II. He praises this building, which was one of the largest in Europe at the time. In 1932 Mussolini visited and gave a speech on the balcony of the remote headquarters building. On the other hand, in 1942, before World War II, it was bombed by the Allies and partly destroyed.
The author, who lives in Italy, has often visited the old Lingotto factory and the old rooftop test course, but every time he stood there, he was amazed by the magnificent architecture. On a foggy day, a specialty of Turin, I couldn't even see the other side from one end of the building.
In the 1969 American-British joint film "The Italian Job", three original "Minis" appear in a scene chased by the police vehicle Alfa Romeo "Julia TI". By the end of operations in 1982, 80 models of vehicles were produced at Lingotto. The last to be produced was the first Lancia "Delta". Lancia Delta production line at Fiat Lingotto factory (1982)
After that, instead of dismantling the Lingotto factory building, a redevelopment plan was to proceed. Commercially including the performance venue "Giovanni Anyerri Hall", which was appointed by architect Renzo Piano and was used as a venue for shopping malls, cinema complexes, offices, hotels, and Fiat's general meeting of shareholders in the late 1990s.・ Reborn as a cultural facility. On the rooftop, a glass dome-shaped conference room with a heliport and the above-mentioned painting hall were also designed and installed by the piano to house the art collection of the Fiat founder Agnelli family.
However, on the occasion of the business crisis in 2002, Fiat sold Lingotto to the real estate company IPI together with the adjacent old aircraft factory (Fiat Avio). The company continued to develop and operate the complex. Initially, the number of customers did not increase because it was not within walking distance from the old town of Turin, but the number of tenants increased around the time when the organizing committee secretariat was set up at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. It became a popular spot accordingly. In 2010, Turin's first subway extended to Lingotto, making it even more lively. Subsequently, the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Polytechnic University of Turin also moved in.
Traditionally, the former rooftop test course has been used for a variety of purposes, from car enthusiast events and new car launches to, at one point, a guest jogging course at a hotel. However, as a semi-permanent establishment, this Pista Cinquecento will be virtually the first project after redevelopment.
According to a local newspaper in Turin, the original refurbishment plan was for the promotion of the Fiat 500e, but "we have decided to reinvest in a work that will last forever for Turin and the entire community," Stellantis said. Olivier François, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and CEO of Fiat Brands, said.
Casa 500 & La Pista 500 Turin Subway Line 1 Lingotto Ekimae Via Nizza 230 Torino, Italy