Milan, Italy

 The new project in Milan, Pirelli 39 by Stefano Boeri Architetti and Diller Scofidio + Renfro is a regeneration of an office building by Gio Ponti that connects the Biblioteca degli Alberi park with a laboratory greenhouse to educate on environmental impact and building re-use. 

Won in a competition, organized by COIMA SGR and the Municipality of Milan, the new project is aimed at the redevelopment of the Porta Nuova Gioia area (between the Central Station and Scalo Farini), a point of passage for anyone coming from the north to the city center. 

Pirelli 39 is located in the center of the Porta Nuova Gioia area in a strategic position between the Central Station and Scalo Farini and provides access to Porta Nuova from the north towards the city centre. 

It was decommissioned by the Municipality of Milan in March 2015, represents a significant opportunity to deliver value by upgrading the existing site, which is lacking in sustainability certifications, not compliant with anti-seismic standards, inefficient for modern use, haswith structural problems as well as pollution and environmental-urban-building degradation, and bringing it in line with the buildings in its surroundings. I

Its redevelopment is part of the regeneration process of the wider area that started with the redevelopment of Gioia 22 and will be completed in the coming years with the development of Pirelli 35 and Gioia 20.

To be recovered will be the so-called Pirellino (designed in the ’50s by Gió Ponti) which will continue to house mostly offices, but whose spaces will be adapted to the new standards. 

The bridge-terrace totally rethinks the bridge on via Melchiorre Gioia, until now perceived as a wall. The space will be emptied and as an extension of the Library of Trees, it will be an open space for events, exhibitions and displays. The central point of its transformation will be the “green house,” a real greenhouse. 

Finally, a new building will be constructed that, in the wake of the vertical forest, will host 700 square meters of vegetation distributed in such a way that the colors of the blooms in different seasons will change the appearance of the building during the year. 

Project: Pirelli 39
Architects: Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS + R) and Stefano Boeri Architetti
Client: COIMA SGR