International architecture and interior design practice Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) unveils the design for the new Milan headquarters of Italian multi-utility company A2A: the project reimagines the company’s office spaces as capable of adapting to people’s ever-changing needs at work, while reviving the local urban fabric with 6,320 sqm of new green public spaces.
The 144-meter-high office tower – named Torre Faro (lighthouse tower in Italian) – will connect Milan’s historic center and periphery by reactivating a north-south axis that runs from the city center through Via Crema and Piazza Trento all the way to ACPV’s Symbiosis business district, located just across the disused railway yard.
The new tower can accommodate 1,500 people in spaces that are flexible, open and are complemented by a green courtyard shared with the Museum of Energy – located inside the existing buildings that will be revitalized with the project.
Vertically, the tower is divided in the middle into two sets of office floors framed by the spacious entrance hall on the ground floor, the Sky Garden in the middle and the Belvedere on top; just like the Sky Garden at mid-height (61 meters), the Belvedere provides panoramic views of Milan at 125 meters above ground.
The tower’s large atrium and the suspended mezzanine create a generous and welcoming environment, enhanced by the multifunctional office spaces located on the floors above.
The architecture of the building addresses future professional needs by integrating flexible spaces – including co-working lounges and informal meeting rooms – that can be reconfigured for multiple uses.
The tower’s footprint is minimized by ensuring the site is open to public use, and by creating a new pedestrian-friendly urban district where local businesses can thrive.
Beyond the A2A Headquarters, the urban regeneration project extends from the neighboring Piazza Trento to the closest metro station through via Crema; enlarged pedestrian areas, two new squares, additional green areas and bicycle paths will turn the area into a diverse, multigenerational and attractive neighborhood.
Antonio Citterio, architect and co-founder of ACPV, says:
“The A2A Headquarters project creates a new vertical village for the firm’s operations. It is designed for people to enjoy working in the company of their colleagues and to encourage spontaneous professional and personal interactions.”
Expected to be completed by 2024, Torre Faro is located in an area of Milan that is currently undergoing profound transformation: the new tower will redefine the role of the district in harmony with the nearby Symbiosis business district, facilitating the transfer of major service sector operations to this part of the city.
