Redevelopment of a multi-tenant office complex

Respect for history

The buildings involved in the project are located in the Porta Garibaldi district, not far from Piazza Gae Aulenti, in an area symbolic of Milan’s urban renewal, which in recent years has undergone significant transformation with numerous new constructions and high-quality renovations. The almost triangular site is occupied by four building blocks: two historic buildings facing Via Maroncelli and Via Quadrio, and two multi-story blocks inside the site, with additional basement levels. The multi-story blocks, designed by Studio Gantes around 1990, where static tests was developed by Studio A. Ferraresi – AF Engineering.

The most significant part of the project is undoubtedly the redevelopment of the elegant early-20th-century office building along Via Maroncelli, turning onto Via Quadrio, previously occupied by the consulting firm Accenture, along with the part that provides access to the central courtyard via a double driveway.

A unified image

The architectural design by WiP Associati included the interior refurbishment of all four blocks to create office spaces of varying sizes for lease as Category A. At the same time, roof volumes were expanded, and ground-floor areas facing the large internal courtyard, the hub of main circulation paths, were enlarged. The main theme of the project was creating a unified stylistic image for the two street-facing buildings with a new, aesthetically and technologically high-performing façade, articulated by a rhythmic sequence of vertical flat bars. Starting from the new upper level on Via Maroncelli, the refined glass-and-metal envelope continues like a large ribbon beneath the roof to Via Quadrio, highlighting the historic building’s decorative half pilaster façade while suitably masking the more anonymous entrance of the newer structure.

Flexible work and circulation spaces

The internal courtyard, converted into a small pedestrian square with a central pool of water, is enhanced by a new two-story lobby framed by green walls, serving as a bright entry and connecting space between the existing blocks.

Inside each building, key concepts include the complete rethinking of horizontal and vertical connections, modularity of spaces from a managerial, operational, and technical standpoint, and maximum flexibility for the new tenants. One of the main goals of the redevelopment was to achieve the coveted LEED GOLD energy certification for the new office complex.

Strip-out with different surprises

The biggest challenge, tasked with both construction management and site safety coordination (CSE), was adapting the design to numerous unforeseen situations uncovered during the detailed strip-out process. These unplanned conditions mostly involved the state of structures and floors, particularly in the building on Via Maroncelli, which had undergone multiple layers and additions over more than a century of life.

Following the strip-out, structural and seismic upgrades were carried out, anticipating the new roof extension. The internal layout of the four buildings was completely reorganized, technologically advanced systems were installed, flooring and ceilings were refurbished, and a new entrance block and roof extension – integrated with the existing street façades – were created.