Urban green

Regeneration of Pirelli 39 in Milan by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti

Pirelli 39 is located in the center of the Porta Nuova Gioia area in Milan. Its redevelopment is part of the regeneration process of the wider area. It was decommissioned by the Municipality of Milan in March 2015, represents a significant opportunity to deliver value by upgrading the existing site and bringing it in line with the buildings in its surroundings. Coima SGR – the leading independent company in the asset management of real estate investment funds on behalf of institutional investors in Italy – has awarded Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS + R) and Stefano Boeri Architetti the international architectural competition for the building. Their proposal envisages a mixed use model of public-residential-tertiary spaces through the recovery of the existing tower, the bridge building over Melchiorre Gioia and the construction of a new tower.

The new residential tower will have 1,700 square meters of vegetation, distributed on the floors so that the flora and forna will change the colours of the building as the seasons change. The vegetation will absorb 14 tons of CO2 and produce 9 tons of oxygen per year, like a 10 thousand square meters forest. With 2,770 square meters of photovoltaic panels, the tower will be able to self-produce 65 percent of its energy needs. The building includes structural parts in wood that will decrease its carbon footprint. The project will redesign the separating ‘wall’ on Via Melchiorre Gioia by creating a new hub for events, shows and exhibitions, with meeting and wellness areas and a biodiverse greenhouse space as an extension of the Biblioteca degli Alberi that will be a dedicated laboratory to provide an immersive, educational, interactive and innovative experience among various plant species. Pirelli 39 will be the first Italian project fully measurable according to ESG criteria (LEED Platinum, WELL Gold, WiredScore certifications etc.).