Renew the industrial memory of the city. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura
27/02/2024.
[Milan] Italy
metalocus, CRISTINA RODRÍGUEZ
metalocus, CRISTINA RODRÍGUEZ
The project developed by BALANCE Architettura consists of the remodeling of an office building located in the Bicocca district, a modern and cultural neighborhood in the north of Milan, Italy.
The building, of 6,500 sqm divided into 4 floors, housed the former offices of Breda Siderurgica, a well-known Milanese metallurgical factory founded in 1950 that, after several transfers, closed in 1992.
The building, of 6,500 sqm divided into 4 floors, housed the former offices of Breda Siderurgica, a well-known Milanese metallurgical factory founded in 1950 that, after several transfers, closed in 1992.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Ground floor. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Floor plans. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Longitudinal section. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Axonometry. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Diagram. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Model. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
Rendering. Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura.
The objective of the BALANCE Architettura project is to preserve the industrial memory of the building, which is why a comprehensive renovation of the interior and exterior is proposed, preserving the existing structure. In this way, each added element remains independent of the structure.
The façade, about 100 meters long, is built from a prototype of external studs made of recyclable transparent silicone rubber. This transparency of the rubber materializes and dematerializes depending on the time of day and the position of the sun. The roof is modified, visually raising it by 4 meters and converting it into a green and social space.
The façade, about 100 meters long, is built from a prototype of external studs made of recyclable transparent silicone rubber. This transparency of the rubber materializes and dematerializes depending on the time of day and the position of the sun. The roof is modified, visually raising it by 4 meters and converting it into a green and social space.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
Project description by BALANCE Architettura
The project involves the redevelopment (LEED Gold) of a 6,500 square meter office building in Milan, located in the Bicocca District. Instead of demolishing the existing 4-story building above ground, we preferred to propose a comprehensive renovation of both the interior and exterior, but retaining the existing structure. The goal was to preserve the building's industrial memory. The project's focus was therefore to add as little as possible and work on internal flows and functions. Each added internal element remains independent of the existing structure.
Bicocca SUPERLAB by BALANCE Architettura. Photograph by Filip Dujardin.
The approximately 100-meter-long building once housed the former offices of the historic Breda Siderurgica, a renowned Milanese metallurgy factory; due to its length, it is now receiving the nickname "horizontal skyscraper." A unique feature is that the facade is made of a prototype of transparent recyclable silicone rubber external uprights developed experimentally for this project. The transparency of the rubber materializes and dematerializes depending on the position of the sun and the time of day. The top is modified through a 4-meter elevation increase, visually raising the building by one above-ground floor and allowing the roof to become a usable floor with social areas and vegetation.
More information
Architects
BALANCE Architettura. Lead architects.- Alberto Lessan, Jacopo Bracco.
Project team
Davide Minervini, Alejandra Mora, Giorgio Salza, Giulia Barbero, Alp Arda, Alessandro Stante, Nicolò Acquadro, Sofia Zuccato, Matteo Dossetto, Estefania Mujica, Eugenia Macchia, Francesca Rava, Ottavia Mangiafridda.
Collaborators
Project Management.- Corradino and Petitti Architetti.
Leed consultant.- Arch.Amit Anafi.
Structural Design.- Eng.Alessandro Ferro.
Energy Project.- Eng. Alessandro Manzone.
Fire prevention project.- Arch.Massimiliano Colucci.
Hydraulic project.- Eng. Ivan Pavanello.
Leed consultant.- Arch.Amit Anafi.
Structural Design.- Eng.Alessandro Ferro.
Energy Project.- Eng. Alessandro Manzone.
Fire prevention project.- Arch.Massimiliano Colucci.
Hydraulic project.- Eng. Ivan Pavanello.
Client
Masini 011 SRL.
Area
6,500 sqm.
Dates
2022-2023.
Location
Viale Sarca 336, Milan, Italy.
Photography
Alberto Lessan, Jacopo Bracco. BALANCE Architettura
BALANCE Architettura is an international architecture studio based in Turin founded by Alberto Lessan and Jacopo Bracco in 2011 that works in the field of Architecture, Workspaces, Major Exhibitions, and Urban Planning.
The studio firmly believes that Architecture is the assembly and composition of elements and functions in three dimensions, through the plastic organization of primary materials.
In 2023 they won the BigMat Prize “NATIONAL ITALY ARCHITECTURE PRIZE BMIAA’23” and in 2022 “Young Talent of Italian Architecture 2022”.
The studio firmly believes that Architecture is the assembly and composition of elements and functions in three dimensions, through the plastic organization of primary materials.
In 2023 they won the BigMat Prize “NATIONAL ITALY ARCHITECTURE PRIZE BMIAA’23” and in 2022 “Young Talent of Italian Architecture 2022”.
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