NTT DATA Bari
NTT DATA has chosen a historic early-1900s building in Bari—formerly a factory and showroom—as its new home, favoring urban integration over a new, sterile facility. The project enhances existing architecture, creates new spaces, and revitalizes outdoor areas inspired by American campuses and historic Italian squares. Located near the University of Bari, it fosters collaboration between business and academia. Local materials and craftsmanship reflect Apulian identity, while natural light, greenery, and custom lighting promote comfort and continuity. The building meets top energy and tech standards, with a strong focus on ESG criteria and local economic involvement, blending innovation with tradition.
A historic building dating back to the early 1900s—once a manufacturing facility and later an automotive showroom—has been chosen by NTT DATA as its new home, in preference to a new, sterile facility. This strategic decision reflects the company's commitment to engaging with the host city and its community.
The project emphasizes the enhancement of existing architectural features, the creation of new spaces, and the revitalization of the surrounding outdoor area. The goal is to transform the site into a hub of exchange and interaction, drawing inspiration from the layout and spirit of American university campuses.
Located near the University of Bari, the building encourages synergy between the business and academic worlds. Its outdoor areas are designed to fulfill an urban role, evoking the spirit of historical gathering spaces such as churchyards and town squares. The careful rehabilitation of the property preserves continuity with its past while driving urban regeneration—an embodiment of NTT DATA’s ‘humanistic’ approach to business and urban transformation.
The building’s layout features a predominantly horizontal development, with vertical connections treated as autonomous architectural elements, each intended for specific activities. The spaces are clearly defined and, based on their form and function, can be metaphorically named: porch, garden, hall, aisles, apse, Low Classroom, High Classroom, and stairways.
Light—both natural and artificial—plays a central role in the new venue. Natural light is filtered or screened according to Mediterranean traditions, tailored to the specific location and use of each space. Artificial lighting is provided through custom-designed fixtures that combine high performance with the warm, domestic quality of blown glass.
To root the venue deeply in its context and cultivate a strong sense of place—standing in contrast to the standardized aesthetic of multinational corporations—the choice of materials and finishes draws heavily on local traditions. Textile surfaces, Trani stone, handmade terracotta tiles, and natural wood inserts are used, all in colors echoing the Apulian landscape and crafted using traditional local techniques. This creates a unique and original identity for the space.
The integration of the company’s technological infrastructure is immediately perceptible, symbolizing a harmonious synthesis of innovation and tradition. Its contemporary expression is grounded in a specific territorial context, reinforcing a sense of belonging.
Greenery, in various forms, is present throughout the building, establishing a seamless continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
Regarding energy, technology, and materials, the building—like all NTT DATA offices—meets the highest international standards. However, in this particular case, due to the comprehensive intervention involving the building’s entire envelope, there was a unique opportunity to adopt stringent ESG criteria. Special attention was given to responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency, and active involvement of the local economy.
