Pirelli 35

Pirelli 35 redefines urban regeneration in Milan’s Porta Nuova district, transforming a 1960s office building into a sustainable, open, and accessible urban hub. Designed by Park Associati and Snøhetta for COIMA, the project prioritizes adaptive reuse, significantly reducing embodied carbon emissions while enhancing connectivity between the city’s evolving skyline and its historical fabric.

 A key element of the transformation is the creation of a public courtyard, made possible by removing the building’s central wing, formerly part of a closed and impermeable volume. This intervention opens up the site, improving permeability and integrating the project into the surrounding urban context. The courtyard, paved with an undulating stone surface, invites pedestrians to cross the site, creating a fluid link between Milan’s Central Station and BAM, the contemporary garden of Porta Nuova. Large floor-to-ceiling openings blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, reinforcing the project’s focus on transparency and accessibility.

 The architectural composition balances heritage and modernity. A new six-story volume along Via Bordoni, clad in terracotta-colored textured metal, bridges the scale between the Porta Nuova high-rises and the adjacent residential buildings. Meanwhile, the re-clad original structure, featuring a concrete-effect finish, creates a dialogue between Milan’s architectural past and its contemporary evolution. A suspended bridge element connects the two volumes, hovering above the courtyard and emphasizing the site’s layered spatial organization.

 The building is structured in three distinct layers:

• The transparent ground floor and ninth floor foster interaction and public accessibility.

• Levels 1 to 8 house flexible, well-lit workspaces designed for adaptability.

• The tenth-floor penthouse, floating above the terrace, offers a meeting space with panoramic views of Milan.

 The project incorporates targeted sustainability measures to minimize environmental impact, prioritizing low-impact materials and the reuse of existing structures. A large photovoltaic canopy powers a water-to-water heat pump, optimizing energy efficiency, while smart management systems continuously monitor the building’s performance. Additionally, the recessed façade enhances shading, reducing solar heat gain without compromising natural light.

 With its public spaces, flexible work environments, and vibrant rooftop destination, Pirelli 35 is more than just a building—it’s a people-centric, sustainable urban hub that strengthens Milan’s architectural and urban future.