Able Partners has been commissioned to collaborate with Select Friuli Venezia Giulia to provide the region with an interior architecture concept for transforming a former 19th-century grain warehouse in Trieste, Italy, into a cutting-edge, innovative complex.

The £40m project, named Hangar 21, is part of the larger £130m Porto Vivo masterplan developed by Studio Femia, an Italian architectural firm led by Alfonso Femia, commissioned by the Friuli-Venezia Giulia government.

Once completed, the building will become a global centre for the “Blue Economy”, creating a hub for the entire economic ecosystem that works with the sea. Hangar 21 will pioneer a fully sustainable and flexible workspace, with facilities designed for Trieste’s business community, from start-ups to large multinationals operating in key sectors, including life sciences and professional services.

The London-based studio's winning proposal focuses on “The Beacon,” celebrating the building’s existing features alongside the addition of a large circular atrium leading to a winter garden. This space will serve as a year-round event venue, offering tenants and visitors an extraordinary view of Trieste, the port, and the sea.

Bill Webb, co-founder of Able Partners, said: “Our mission is to create and deliver innovative and sustainable projects that challenge conventional thinking, and our goal for Hangar 21 is no exception.

“Revitalizing such an impressive asset in such a significant civic position is a great opportunity. The project places sustainability at its core, incorporating features like solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and many green technologies, making it a flagship project for the region.

“This building aims to embody the opportunities the area can offer and attract talent and investment. We are proud to have been chosen for our creative yet technical approach. We look forward to collaborating with Alfonso Femia and the entire stakeholder team to fully integrate our vision for the space into the Porto Vivo master plan and see Trieste’s port completely transformed in the coming years.”

The building’s interior will revolve around an ample open space featuring a triple-height bright yellow spiral staircase. Located directly beneath the new winter garden, the open space will allow light to penetrate the deepest parts of the building.

The rest of the floor plan will house highly flexible workspaces with facilities for secure laboratories, traditional offices, co-working spaces, and relaxation areas.

Able Partners’ design for Hangar 21 was recently unveiled at the Smart City Conference in Barcelona, where the team presented visualisations and concepts to leaders in urban innovation.

Work will commence on-site in the spring of 2025, with completion expected by spring 2027.