“Casa BFF” is the new headquarters of the BFF Bank in Milan, but it is also an urban project. Designed by OBR, Casa BFF wants to create a strong urbanity starting from the very context of Viale Scarampo as the primary entrance axis to the city.
Paolo Brescia, Founding Partner of OBR with Tommaso Principi, declared: “This project for Casa BFF is above all an urban project. This is why we think it should not indulge in ostentatious solutions, but, on the contrary, assume the status of landmark through its ability to make a city, giving back to the public domain a super-urban place open to all, a civic space where you can have the pleasure to stay and meet in public, celebrating a renewed ritual of urbanity”.
Set back from the street alignment, the building is designed to be the background of a new square open to the city, overlooked by the entrance hall, the auditorium and the art gallery of Casa BFF.
The square is defined by a 40-metre high portico which supports the large energy-roof of Casa BFF, which draws the “fifth elevation”, a regular geometric figure perfectly recognizable in the map of the city seen from above. Like a flying-carpet over the building, the energy roof is a passive and active device: it offers shelter by protecting from bad weather and direct sunlight, and at the same time contributes to meeting the energy needs of the building and its surroundings. With its 2,600 square meters of photovoltaic panels, the energy-roof produces 360 Megawatt hours/year, becoming the manifesto of BFF’s environmental values and having the project LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certified.
Protected by the large roof is the panoramic terrace designed as a common space accessible to all, with the restaurant from which to admire the city.
The interior space allows for maximum reconfigurability and personalization, guaranteeing adaptability to the greatest variety of possible layouts, with relax areas and informal hybrid spaces between indoors and outdoors. The work spaces are designed to create a desirable place that fosters a strong sense of belonging, where people are encouraged to express their skills and aspirations. Anticipating the future means encouraging exchange and interaction, imagining a place where ideas can easily circulate and fertilize
Team:
Client: BFF Bank
Architects: OBR
Project Management: Jacobs Italia S.p.A.
Architect: OBR Paolo Brescia e Tommaso Principi
Design Manager: OBR Arch. Andrea Casetto
Structural Engineering: Ceas S.r.l.
MEP: Deerns Italia S.r l.
Cost control: Gad Global Assistance Development S.r.l.,
Fire prevention: Gae Engineering S.r.l.
Site survey: S.C.E. Project S.r.l.
Static tester: Ing. Andrea Ferraresi
Safe & security: C.S.P. S.r.l. e C.S.E.Gestione Progetti S.r.l.
Contractor: Ediltecno Restauri S.r.l.
Sub-contractor façade and flying carpet: PICHLER Projects S.r.l.
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: prefabricated element facade
Flooring: raised floor
Doors: frameless door
Windows: included in the façade system
Roofing: wooden deck
Interior lighting: Artemide
Interior furniture: Unifor, Vitra, Manerba
