SYMBIOSIS – BUILDING D

The Symbiosis urban regeneration project transformed an industrial space, once a
strategic area for Milan’s economic development, in a new mixed-use urban district
aiming at addressing contemporary sustainability issues in an innovative way.
Designed by international architecture and design Studio Antonio Citterio Patricia
Viel (ACPV), Symbiosis follows the guidelines of European research and innovation
programme Horizon 2020. Extending over an area of 130.000 sqm South of Porta
Romana, it is home to many important multinational companies, but not only. The
district also hosts showrooms, museums, universities and research centres such as
Fondazione Prada and Talent Garden.
Building D, the new office block, serves as an urban laboratory to investigate
tomorrow’s new work environments. Rethink Energy designed its cooling/heating
and power system, using groundwater heat-pumps, and photovoltaic and vegetable
oil co-generation technologies integrated in a trigeneration system. This mix of
power solutions ensured very high levels of efficiency and the use of renewable
sources, thus securing the volume bonuses contemplated in Italy’s Dlgs 28/2011
regulation.
For the particular attention paid to wellbeing (the 75 sqm green area atop the
building will allow people to take healthy outdoor breaks and even exercise),
Building D gained bronze score Core WELL certification. It also obtained Platinum
score Core & Shell LEED certification for environmental sustainability.