Zenit residential project by Studio Dragò at Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence

Zenit, a residential project by Studio Dragò (David Lopez Quincoces and Fanny Bauer Grung), is set for completion in September 2026 at Manifattura Tabacchi, a former tobacco factory designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in the 1930s. The project comprises 34 units that reinterpret the industrial heritage through a contemporary lens, following a strategy of 'active conservation' that integrates new functions and technologies without freezing the building. The architects emphasize working with the existing structure, avoiding rigid preservation or forced novelty. Green spaces are treated as structural elements that connect private and collective areas, improving microclimate and biodiversity. The design blurs boundaries between interior and exterior through terraces, logges, and roof gardens, fostering new forms of sociality. Historical elements are preserved while new insertions are discreet and functional, using light, materials, and warm-toned finishes to balance industrial volumes with domestic comfort. The project draws on Florence's tradition of courtyards and neighborhoods to create shared spaces that encourage community interaction. Density is increased without consuming new land by utilizing rooftops for gardens and common areas. The interview was conducted by Ginevra Barbetti.