Olivetti Complex, Industrial architectural complex in Ivrea, Italy

The Olivetti Complex in Ivrea comprises the 1896 red-brick factory with Hennebique reinforced-concrete floors and flat roofs, and later additions by Luigi Figini and Gino Pollini. Their 1939–1940 extension is a 130-metre building entirely clad in a glass curtain wall. The site also includes the blue-tiled Casa Blu, designed by Eduardo Vittoria and opened in 1955.

Camillo Olivetti started the first factory in 1896, but his son Adriano expanded it into a large complex between 1934 and 1964. This period brought forward the idea of a company that not only made products but also wanted to improve the lives of its workers.

The complex shows how industry and social spaces were built together: residential areas, daycare facilities, and recreation rooms were directly created for workers. The buildings tell the story of a company that tried to care for all aspects of its employees' lives.

You can explore the open-air museum MAAM at any time, and guided tours of buildings are available on weekends through the Visitor Center. Wear comfortable shoes since the site is large and you will walk a lot.

Talponia, the western residential block, was built between 1969 and 1975 to designs by architects Roberto Gabetti and Aimaro Isola. Its nickname means "mole", after the curved underground form that follows the slope. Visitors pass it on the Ivrea open-air architecture route.