The Hague, 7 July 2026 — Deerns is helping transform Verona’s former Manifattura Tabacchi factory through façade engineering that balances heritage preservation, performance and feasibility.
The Manifattura Tabacchi factory in Verona is being reimagined as a vibrant mixed-use urban district where heritage, performance and public life converge. The redevelopment will transform the historic industrial site into a dynamic destination that integrates public space, hospitality, retail and workplaces, while preserving and celebrating its architectural legacy.
Designed by Snøhetta for developer Supernova, the project reimagines the former tobacco factory area as a connected, accessible and sustainable part of the city.
As façade engineer, Deerns is supporting both the refurbishment of existing heritage buildings and the design of new buildings across the master plan. The development covers approximately 30,000m² with a wider urban programme of pedestrian routes, green areas, mobility improvements and underground parking.
“In this project, the façades are more than the building envelope,” says Nicola Greco, Façades Director at Deerns. “They had to preserve the architectural vision, meet today’s performance requirements and remain feasible within the client’s budget.”
Regenerating an industrial landmark
The project combines three existing buildings with new construction. The buildings’ heritage value meant that the architectural character had to be retained while upgrading the façade performance to meet current requirements.
For Deerns, this created two distinct façade engineering exercises. On the existing buildings, the design had to respect the memory of the site, using systems and materials compatible with the original industrial character. In one of the restored buildings, this meant working with façade solutions that recreated the appearance and materiality of the historic steel windows.
The new buildings allowed for a more contemporary architectural language. Here, Deerns worked with façade systems chosen to echo the site’s industrial past while supporting the project’s new urban identity.
Balancing architecture, performance and budget
A central challenge was the scale and variety of the development. The project brings together different building types, uses, budgets and façade targets within one master plan. Each building required a specific approach, but the same core issue remained: achieving the intended architectural quality while meeting technical performance and cost requirements.
Greco recalls, “This was particularly important because Deerns became involved at RIBA Stage 4 when the client asked us to review and optimise an earlier façade design, improving efficiency while preserving the architectural intent.”
3 key criteria:
- façade performance, including energy, acoustic, safety and fire related requirements
- material studies that balanced heritage character with contemporary standards
- cost optimisation to reduce construction risk and improve buildability
Heritage buildings with modern requirements
The refurbishment of the existing buildings required close attention to structure. Because the buildings were already in place, the new façade systems had to fit within existing structural constraints. That limited the freedom to choose façade typologies and made coordination with structural engineers essential.
This type of work is especially demanding because façade design sits at the intersection of many disciplines. Deerns coordinated with architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, sustainability specialists, acoustic consultants, fire consultants and cost controllers to ensure that each façade solution met the wider project requirements. Fire strategy was particularly important, reflecting the increased attention now given to façade safety in European building design.
Supporting LEED Gold ambitions
The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, using a broader LEED Campus approach alongside individual building certifications. This creates a unified sustainability framework across the district, allowing shared environmental measures to support the overall performance of the master plan.
For Deerns, the façades form one important part of this sustainability strategy.
4 essential project objectives:
- improved energy performance
- durable and appropriate material choices
- comfort, safety and acoustic quality for users
- long term value for the owner and operator
A recognised urban regeneration project
Manifattura Tabacchi Verona has already received recognition from The Plan, which awarded the project as best overall in the Urban Regeneration category. The recognition reflects the scale and ambition of the development.
“In a project like this, the façade has a major impact on cost, performance and architectural quality,” says Greco. “By resolving these questions during design, we help reduce the risk of changes, delays and additional costs during construction.”
As the project moves towards construction, Deerns looks forward to contributing to a renewed urban district for Verona.
