Milan is a city that embraces innovation, modernity and progress. This vision of growth is clearly reflected in one of Europe's most ambitious urban redevelopment projects, Porta Nuova. This area, located in the heart of the city, is at the center of an epic transformation with the arrival of the Porta Nuova Gioia investment.
A Monumental Transformation
Porta Nuova is an urban redevelopment project that began in 2005 and took nearly a decade to complete. The scope of the project is astounding: with a total area of 340,000 square meters, it includes 57,000 square meters of office space, 11,000 square meters of retail space, 160,000 square meters of pedestrian space, 20,000 square meters of cultural space, 370 luxury apartments, and about 4,000 parking spaces, mostly located underground. Not surprisingly, during its construction, the Porta Nuova building site became the largest in Europe, involving more than two thousand workers and the contribution of twenty renowned architects.
The Renaissance of Porta Nuova
Porta Nuova is home to a series of iconic buildings that were designed to redefine the cityscape of Milan. These buildings are known for their imposing height and extraordinary architectural impact. The complex includes more than twenty buildings, including skyscrapers, offices, cultural centers, and urban villas. This new aesthetic is an ode to modernity and innovation.
Porta Nuova Gioia: The Next Frontier.
The Portals represent the next frontier of development in Porta Nuova Gioia, an important project for AZA that joins the companies at work in this joint effort between the City of Milan and COIMA SGR that promises to double the size of the Porta Nuova neighborhood.
The goal of this agreement is to redevelop the entire area surrounding Via Melchiorre Gioia, promoting sustainable mobility and creating accessible spaces
A Laboratory of Innovation
Porta Nuova has become a true innovation laboratory for Milan. It will host HabiTech, a proptech and sustainable building startup accelerator launched by CDP Venture Capital SGR, with COIMA as co-promoter. In addition, COIMA will provide a district management technology platform that will enable startups to test their prototypes in a real-world environment and accelerate the development process.
The establishment of KPMG in Porta Nuova will significantly contribute to consolidating the neighborhood as a business hub. Currently, more than 50,000 employees work in the area, in various sectors including professional business services, financial services, technology, engineering, pharmaceuticals, fashion and sports.
In addition, digitization of the area is a priority, with an IoT infrastructure under development and the Portanuova Milano app. This app will create an ecosystem of B2C digital services focused on sustainability, environmental impact reduction, and social and cultural integration.
Milan's architectural innovation reaches new heights with the Gioia 20 and Gioia 21 towers, two iconic structures that are taking shape in the ambitious Porta Nuova urban redevelopment project. These towers, designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel's renowned ACPV ARCHITECTS Studio, are part of a panorama of cutting-edge buildings transforming the face of the city.
Gioia 20, with its 24 stories rising 98 meters and an area of more than 40,000 square meters, is more than just a building. Designed with a bold vision, Gioia 20 represents the gateway to Porta Nuova for those coming from the north of the city. Certainly the greatest uniqueness of this project is contained in its envelope: The facades will have integrated photovoltaic system on three fronts of the building that will blend unobtrusively into the cellular curtain walls.
Sustainability at 360 Degrees "The Portals" is an innovative architectural project created to address post-pandemic challenges and to contribute to the fight against climate change, in accordance with the principles of the European Taxonomy for Sustainable Economic Activities (EU 852/2020). The building is characterized by its excellence in terms of flexibility of interior spaces, which can be adapted to the different needs of users, and energy efficiency, ensured by state-of-the-art technological systems for lighting, air conditioning, and facility monitoring.
One of the largest vertical solar fields in Italy The project is also notable for its integration of a photovoltaic system into the curtain wall, making it one of the first and largest vertical solar fields in Italy. Thanks to this system, the building is able to produce 990,000 Kwh of clean energy annually on the towers, covering more than 65 percent of its energy needs. In this way, the building reduces its CO2 emissions and becomes a source of renewable energy for the surrounding area.
GIOIA 20 Curtain Walls Building facades are not only an aesthetic element, but also an essential functional component for the comfort and well-being of occupants. In modern building projects, it is important to strike the right balance between design and energy performance. For this reason, the façade system of "The Portals" alternates opaque and visual modules, creating an effect of movement and contrast that gives personality and dynamism to buildings. These modules are designed to incorporate advanced technological solutions and visually appealing designs into an envelope that defines the buildings' character.
Opaque Module: The Union of Aesthetics and Efficiency The Opaque Module is an outstanding example of how architectural aesthetics can harmonize with energy efficiency. With typical dimensions of 1350mm x 4080mm and a staggered joint, this module combines form and function in a single solution. It consists of an aluminum inner frame that incorporates technological sealing principles, and an outer frame to which the photovoltaic glass is attached by structural silicone. This configuration makes it possible to harness solar energy efficiently and turn the building into a green power plant. For ease of maintenance, the frame has a hidden but accessible attachment system at all times. This means that while the opaque module is aesthetically clean and has no visible fasteners, it is possible to work on it for maintenance without altering the appearance of the building. Another interesting aspect of this module is the staggered height of the outer photovoltaic frame. This design detail gives depth and dynamism to the facade, creating a structure that stands out uniquely in the urban skyline. Modern architectural aesthetics are combined with sustainable energy, demonstrating that beauty and functionality can coexist harmoniously.
Photovoltaic Technology: Glass/Glass
A key aspect in the choice of photovoltaic technology was the adoption of glass/glass. This technology represents an advanced way of integrating solar panels directly into the façade structure, using glass as the base for the panels themselves. This approach offers a clean and modern visual appearance, as the panels are essentially embedded in the glass itself.
Thanks to the glass/glass, the architectural design is not compromised by the presence of the solar panels. These blend harmoniously with the façade design, creating a refined and contemporary aesthetic that enhances the building.
Maximizing Solar Energy
One of the most interesting aspects of the photovoltaic system implemented in the G21 tower is its energy performance. A detailed study of solar radiation on the building's surfaces showed significant potential for capturing solar energy. Seasonal data and orientation of the photovoltaic surfaces were used to calculate solar array performance. The result? A system capable of collecting about 990 thousand kWh per year of exposure. This is a significant contribution to building energy supply and a demonstration of how photovoltaic integration can make buildings more sustainable.
CLIENT
COIMA SGR Spa
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
ICM Maltauro
LOCATION
Milan
DESCRIPTION
Unitized facade system
Stick system facade
Claddings
Doors and Windows
Parapets
ARCHITECT
Citterio-Viel & Partner
ARUP