Pirelli 35

Park and Snøhetta have joined forces to transform Pirelli 35, a 1960s office block in the heart of Milan’s Porta Nuova district, into a dynamic, accessible, and environmentally sustainable urban landmark. Already chosen as the Italian headquarters of Adidas and Condé Nast, the building confirms its role as a strategic and cultural hub within the evolving urban landscape of the city. Commissioned by COIMA, the project redefines the relationship between architecture, landscape, and public space, becoming a new focal point for urban regeneration. The international competition for the redevelopment of Pirelli 35 gave rise to an unexpected yet visionary collaboration. Initially submitting two distinct but complementary proposals, Park and Snøhetta were invited by COIMA to merge their approaches into a single design. This partnership – Snøhetta’s first project in Italy – demonstrates how architectural excellence and environmental sustainability can coexist in a mutually enriching process. Rather than opting for demolition and new construction, the project embraces the principles of adaptive reuse, preserving the existing structure to significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions. The architectural interventions enhance both the aesthetic and structural character of the building while reinforcing its connection to Milan’s historic and contemporary fabric. One of the project’s most distinctive features is the transformation of a once closed and impermeable volume into an open, welcoming urban space that restitches previously disconnected parts of the city. The central wing was removed to make way for a suspended volume floating above a newly created public courtyard. This bold gesture breaks the original structure’s rigidity, dramatically improving permeability and seamlessly integrating the building into its surroundings. The courtyard, paved with an undulating stone surface, encourages pedestrian movement and creates a direct and fluid connection between Milan’s Central Station and BAM, the Biblioteca degli Alberi park. Large floor-to-ceiling openings increase transparency and blur the boundaries between the interior and the city. The façade on Via Bordoni, including the new bridge element, features a textured terracotta-coloured metal cladding that speaks to the scale and materiality of the surrounding neighbourhood. In contrast, the re-clad original volume uses a concrete-effect finish that resonates with the contemporary skyline of Porta Nuova, balancing modernity with contextual sensitivity. Pirelli 35 integrates advanced sustainability strategies that set new standards for future urban developments. Low-carbon construction, recycled materials, a photovoltaic canopy powering a water-to-water heat pump, and smart building systems all contribute to reducing the building’s environmental footprint. The new façade, set behind the original structural grid, also minimises solar heat gain while preserving transparency and daylighting. More than a workplace, Pirelli 35 is a people-centric, inclusive space that enriches Milan’s urban life. With a vibrant mix of offices, public areas, and rooftop spaces, it supports continuous activity and interaction. The project embodies Milan’s ongoing transformation, where historical memory and contemporary innovation converge to shape a more sustainable and open urban future.