Milan, Italy - 2007 /
A vision with an eye to the future, to develop intelligent buildings with high ethical, social and technical aspects: sophistication is the word that represents their simplicity.
Flexible, changeable, economical, sustainable are our well grounded principles creating an environmental driven design to guaranty a high end quality volume and a wellbeing structure for those who live in it.
Architectural tradition helps us to understand the context and is the first indicator for sustainable development. Designing the building aiming to reduce the amount of mechanical equipment.
Milan has been in a period of urban regeneration and reconstruction for some years. In a typical geometrical industrial development area, previously known as Ansaldo, changes are being made to create an office headquarters.
The project is an interpretation of traditional industrial architecture and a large span concrete structure enables maximum internal flexibility.
Our response is a project in strong harmony with the urban surroundings, the building is constructed in line with the east/west path of the sun.
The facades respond to their exposure to the sun by creating Loggias", external green screens and green terraces with double height split levels, adding a third dimension to the external envelope .
Underground areas such as parking, a technical room and storage room are connected to the main levels by the two main cores.
A five storey, 100 metre long south facing facade with 5000 mq of above ground usable area has a strong presence for its urban context.
We designed a green building: loggias working as sunshades like hanging gardens, low level consumption building material and recyclable construction materials are some of the key aspects aimed at responding to the climate change challenges of today and the future.
Vertical circulation is give by two cores and by two internal open stairs that travel the volume longitudinally from ground to the top floor . Those stairs creates a sense of visual and physical continuity.
Green Screen is also accessible to the Community: the roof top it is open to the public where long views to Milan city-centre are granted together with a restaurant and bar. The building become a destination.
