Nature Blended Architecture. P39 Competition proposal for a new High-Rise in Milan skyline

Building Architecture MSc Thesis Project

by A. Castellan, P. Dolceamore

Politecnico di Milano | A.Y. 2019/2020

Abstract

The hereby presented thesis concerns the design of an entry to the International P39 competition, issued by the real estate company COIMA in 2019. The brief called for a new development for the “Pirellino” building and the neighboring area of Porta Nuova-Gioia, representing a chance to take part to the pressing debate about the impact of the new high-rises on the cityscape. Firstly, from an urban scale perspective, the project promotes a new level of urban sustainability, through a gradual mobility conversion towards more sustainable means, to be eased thanks to a street network rearrangement that involves the existing Naviglio Martesana uncovering project. The design team opted for the demolition of the existing building, since it appeared to be very complex to adapt to the required standards, and the reallocation of the tower on the margin of the underlying BAM park, in order to free some of its surface.

The building itself was conceived as a set of intertwining volumes that establish visual relationships with the surroundings. Two urban assets taken into account were the park and via Pirelli, the gateway to the area. Special overhangs were designed with a steel structural conception, to distinguish them from the main reinforced concrete frame. The volume composition contributes to show the mixed-use nature of the building, meant to broaden the range of activities and spaces that both district and city can benefit from. Public functions, including an exhibition space, leisure areas, and a bike storage, are located at the base and top of the tower, while the central part hosts the office floors.

Arch. Andrea Castellan

The design was integrated with a series of building systems, with sustainability and carbon footprint reduction as key values. Besides HVAC, Water Management and Renewable Energy systems, a set of natural elements has been introduced, not only for their impact on livability, but also as part of a larger commitment to pursue sustainability and architectural language integration.