Italian cement group Italcementi has started the construction works of its new research and innovation centre, named ITClab, which will span 11,000m2 and will be built in the technology park Kilometro Rosso, near Bergamo, northern Italy. 
 
The centre, designed by U.S. architect Richard Meier, will be ready in the beginning of 2009.
 
ITClab aims at becoming a major research centre in Europe also in the fields of sustainable architecture and environmental compatibility. 
 
Italcementi’s chairman and CEO, Giampiero Pesenti and Carlo Pesenti, attended the ceremony for the official start of the construction works, together with Italy’s Minister for Reforms and Innovation in the Public Administration Luigi Nicolais, the deputy chairman of Italy’s employers’ association Confindustria, Alberto Bombassei, the mayor of Bergamo, Roberto Bruni, and other representatives of local authorities.