ACPV ARCHITECTS antonio citterio patricia viel's business park masterplan revitalizes southern milan

the ‘symbiosis business district’ by ACPV ARCHITECTS antonio citterio patricia viel has opened in milan, shortly ahead of the completion of a 21,500 sqm office headquarters occupied by major italian telecommunications company fastweb. named after adriano olivetti, the public square of this new business district is dedicated to the italian industrialist and engineer who advocated for the reinvestment of profit for the benefit of the community – an idea that echoes the masterplan’s aim of revitalizing a former industrial area of the city.

all images by leo torri

alongside carlo masera’s landscape design for the square, the italian architecture firm inserts a radiant addition to southern milan’s extensive urban transformations, including fondazione prada and università bocconi’s new campus. the ‘symbiosis’ masterplan reimagines a fragment of milan and generates a public space that aims to connect work and leisure. as a first among the upcoming developments in ACPV ARCHITECTS antonio citterio patricia viel’s masterplan, the forthcoming opening of fastweb’s 6-story headquarters for the company’s 1,800 employees will provide space for large-scale business activities in the area.

the office complex aims to create a unique identity and relationship within the context of the business park and the surrounding cityscape. the design is characterized by the large glazed façades, which intend to connect the office spaces with outdoor meeting areas. the glazed element is also emphasized in the pools of water which reflect the glass surface. the public space is designed to create an inviting, inclusive and green environment for work and leisure. the forthcoming development of the next stages of the ‘symbiosis’ masterplan are planned to re-establish this area of milan’s future. 

project info:

project name: symbiosis masterplan – fastweb headquarters

location: milan, italy

project (architecture, interior design, masterplan): ACPV ARCHITECTS antonio citterio patricia viel

project director – architecture: mauro novazzi

partner in charge – interior design: francesca carlino

client: beni stabili s.p.a. siiq

landscape design (adriano olivetti square): carlo masera

structural engineering: milano engineering

mep engineering: studio planning

façade engineering: faces engineering

contractor: greenway costruzioni

site area: 20,000 sqm

gross floor area: 21,500 sqm

design phase: 2015-17

construction phase: 2016-18

photographer: leo torri

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edited by: lynne myers | designboom