Mongolfiera: urban and energy regeneration across 35,000 m²

Context and challenge

In operation since the 1990s, the Mongolfiera Shopping Centre in Foggia required a major refurbishment project aimed at overcoming the functional and energy-related obsolescence of the existing structures, covering an area of approximately 35,600 m², as well as at redeveloping an area previously used for loading and unloading goods.

The challenge faced by the Sarni Group and the designer, architect Nicola Cacchione, was to transform a complex characterised by high energy consumption into a modern, efficient and sustainable structure, capable of ensuring high standards of thermal and humidity comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency in environments characterised by high footfall.

The project also made it possible to recover and repurpose a previously underused and degraded portion of the complex, converting it into new, contemporary retail spaces that are perfectly integrated with the rest of the structure and consistent with the most advanced criteria for environmental sustainability and the enhancement of the real estate value.

Solution

The project involved the refurbishment of public spaces and commercial facilities, the energy-efficient refurbishment of the roofs, and the installation of a 1 MW photovoltaic system to generate clean energy.

The technological cornerstone of the energy refurbishment was the complete replacement of the air-conditioning and air-handling system. In this strategic area, Clivet played a decisive role by supplying eight AQX series Air Handling Units (AHUs) in sizes 21 and 22, all rated A+ for energy, designed specifically for use in the malls.

The AQX AHUs cover the building’s entire heating and cooling requirements, ensuring high indoor air quality (IAQ) thanks to advanced filtration systems. The units are capable of modulating their operation from full recirculation to full fresh air (managed automatically via CO₂ sensors based on occupancy levels and outdoor weather conditions), ensuring a constant air exchange during peak periods.

The modular structure, featuring thermal-break sandwich panels, minimises energy loss and noise emissions. Furthermore, the inclusion of ultra-high-efficiency heat recovery units and high-efficiency IE6-class fans (the best currently available on the market) drastically reduces operational energy consumption, working in perfect synergy with the centre’s 1 MW photovoltaic system.

inside the Mongolfiera shopping centre in Lecce Clivet AQX AHUs and photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the Mongolfiera shopping centre in Lecce

Results

The redevelopment has transformed a shopping centre, originally built using 1990s technology and design criteria, into a contemporary, efficient and high-performing facility in architectural, energy and environmental terms. At the same time, an area originally in a state of disrepair, used for loading and unloading goods, has been completely repurposed, creating new, state-of-the-art retail spaces designed to the highest standards of efficiency, comfort and architectural quality.

The project has successfully integrated architectural design, energy generation from renewable sources and high-efficiency building services systems in a synergistic manner. In particular, the photovoltaic system and the advanced air-conditioning solutions, supported by Clivet air-handling units, have made a decisive contribution to reducing energy consumption, emissions and operating costs across the entire complex, whilst improving user comfort and the quality of the indoor environments.

The excellence of the project was recognised nationally with the prestigious award presented last year at the Campidoglio in Rome, which ranked the Mongolfiera Shopping Centre in Foggia amongst the 100 best Italian projects for urban, energy and environmental regeneration in 2025, testifying to the innovative value and overall quality of the work.

Key players:

  • Owner: Sarni Group 
  • Management: Svicom
  • Design and Project Management: Architect Nicola Cacchione
  • Contractors: EM969 S.r.l., DAVA S.r.l., Gruppo Palma S.r.l.
  • Clivet Agency: Lobozzo
  • Clivet Dealer: ACMEI Sud S.r.l.
  • Installer: Paffuto Climatizzazioni (Foggia)
  • Photovoltaic system: Smart Building Design

Clivet units installed:

  • 8 AQX 21 and 22 air handling units