MAST to transform milan quarry with 'forest' of floating architecture

centroparco: a recreational oasis in milan

Milan‘s Municipality of Segrate has commissioned MAST, an architecture studio based in Copenhagen, to revitalize a former sand quarry into a central park that will serve as a natural retreat for the city’s residents. The abandoned quarry, measuring one kilometer in width and sixty meters in depth, has been dormant for years, leaving behind a distinctive landscape surrounded by remnants of industry and overgrown foliage. MAST’s vision for the site includes a series of buildings along the perimeter of the lake, connected by a public walkway and a cluster of floating islands at the center.

image © Slim Studio | @slimstudio.eu

the modular design by mast architects

MAST Architects designs its Centroparco in Milan as a series of small nodes along a branching wooden walkway which will house a spa, a restaurant, and a boat rental station. Notably, the spa and boat rental station will be constructed on floating foundations, allowing visitors to access the pristine lake water despite the fluctuating water levels that can vary by up to two meters depending on groundwater levels and rainfall.

The boat rental station will offer low-power electric boats for visitors to navigate the lake and explore the floating forests at its center. The largest of these islands will feature an elevated amphitheater, providing a unique venue for performances and public events. The smaller islands, moored to the lake bottom but allowed to drift within a limited radius, will serve as picturesque spots for picnics and private gatherings. Additionally, a fine dining restaurant perched on the rim of the lake will offer panoramic views of the surrounding islands.

image © Slim Studio

To ensure the buildings blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings, MAST Architects will make use of prefabricated modules built with timber portal frames and cladding of untreated timber locally sourced outside Milan. MAST co-founder Marshall Blecher emphasized the pioneering aspect of the project, stating, ‘The project represents the first of its kind in Italy, an innovative development that unlocks access to the unique natural setting.’

Currently, MAST is working in partnership with the Municipality of Segrate to bring this visionary project to life. Once completed, the transformed quarry turned recreational oasis is expected to become a landmark destination, offering a new and unparalleled experience of nature for the residents of Milan.

image © Aesthetica | @aesthetica_studio