ZANNI GROUP – Innovation rooted in tradition
ZANNI GROUP is a technology-focused development company with more than 30 years of experience in industrial process engineering, environmental technology and innovative infrastructure solutions.
Under the leadership of Andreas Zanni, the company has developed independent technical solutions across multiple disciplines – from power generation and combustion engineering, heat transfer and environmental technologies to high-load-bearing structural systems and secure digital infrastructure.
This continuous research and development work forms the foundation of ZANNI GROUP today. Its patent and development history, dating back to 1992, reflects a commitment to addressing complex engineering challenges through original technical approaches.
With JUMBO BLOCK, ZANNI GROUP has applied this accumulated expertise to a forward-looking infrastructure concept combining water management, load-bearing structures, intelligent land use and ecological design. The physical infrastructure is complemented by the company’s own JUMBO BLOCK Engineering Suite.
JUMBO BLOCK is therefore not an isolated product idea, but the outcome of decades of engineering development and innovation.
What is JUMBO BLOCK?
JUMBO BLOCK is an innovative modular stormwater retention and water storage system developed by ZANNI GROUP. It combines effective water management, load-bearing infrastructure and intelligent multifunctional use of existing land.
The system is based on large-volume, high-load-bearing modules that can be installed beneath roads, operational areas and other suitable surfaces. Each JUMBO BLOCK measures 2.50 × 2.50 × 2.50 metres and provides approximately 14 cubic metres of usable water storage capacity. Its modular design allows retention and storage capacity to be scaled to project requirements.
Its distinctive feature is the combination of several functions on the same footprint: large volumes of water can be retained, stored and released in a controlled manner underground, while the surface remains available for transport, technical facilities, green spaces or ecological uses.
This opens up new possibilities for managing heavy rainfall, storing water locally and developing space-efficient urban infrastructure. Additional surface sealing can be avoided where functions that would otherwise require separate areas are combined.
JUMBO BLOCK is therefore more than an underground water tank: it is a multifunctional infrastructure system bringing together water management, structural engineering, efficient land use and ecological design.
What challenges does the system address?
JUMBO BLOCK combines effective stormwater management with decentralised retention, water storage and intelligent multifunctional land use.
The modular system creates underground retention and storage capacity while allowing the surfaces above to remain in use or accommodate additional functions. Roads, stormwater pretreatment facilities and nature-oriented habitats such as biotopes can be combined with the water infrastructure beneath them.
This multifunctional approach can substantially reduce the need for additional land, avoid unnecessary surface sealing and create new opportunities for sustainable urban and infrastructure development.
JUMBO BLOCK treats rainwater not merely as a drainage problem but as a valuable resource – and land not as space for a single purpose but as multifunctional infrastructure.
JUMBO BLOCK Engineering Suite
The JUMBO BLOCK Engineering Suite brings together powerful digital tools for planning, sizing, structural calculations, documentation and technical assessment of complex infrastructure projects.
The programs provide comprehensive, traceable calculations and analyses in a short time. They improve transparency, accelerate planning processes and provide a sound basis for technical decisions.
The JUMBO BLOCK project in Hille near Minden offers a practical example: the planners involved use JUMBO BLOCK Static because it delivers extensive structural results and additional information within minutes.
The Engineering Suite combines engineering calculation methods with an efficient, transparent and practice-oriented digital workflow.
Technical information and verification
JUMBO BLOCK provides technical documentation, planning resources and digital tools. Project-specific design takes account of site conditions, hydraulic requirements, structural loads and applicable regulations.
JUMBO BLOCK – platform and Engineering Suite · JUMBO BLOCK – technology and applications