In Valenza, so the saying goes, it is easier to find a river diamond than a box of salt. The town is home to the highest density of artisan jewellers and goldsmiths in Italy, which explains why Bulgari chose to locate its new architect-designed jewellery manufacturing facility there.

The pristine new Bulgari Manifattura Gioielli embraces the tradition of jewellery making in Valenza and brings it up to date with a striking contemporary complex of workshops and offices, uniting past and present, craftsmanship and the latest building technologies. Complementing the ethos of refined design, luxury and innovation, Bulgari chose Tribù’s Vis à Vis outdoor furniture for its beautifully proportioned courtyard terrace.

The two-part factory designed by architecture and engineering firm Open Project and realised by Tecno consists of the Cascina dell’Orefice, an early 19th-century building considered the first gold-smithing workshop in Valenza. Open Project restored and updated it with a striking addition dubbed The Glass House, a tall, gleaming extension that bridges the visual leap to the bold second building. Here they constructed a metallic skin 6 meters from the outer walls making the offices bright inside, yet private.

Hidden within the second building is an oasis of calm and light, a courtyard inspired by the Roman domus. It is simply and minimally furnished with Vis à Vis Outdoor Chairs and Dining Tables, designed for Tribù by award-winning Italian furniture designer Piergiorgio Cazzaniga. Made from teak and woven, weather-proof Canax, the chairs give staff a relaxed and elegant place to meet in. While Bulgari creates beautiful things inside, Tribù creates beautiful settings for them outside.

You can see more at www.bulgari.com