In Viale Sarca, Milan, the Open 336 project by Park Associati offers modern and functional offices that incorporate a reinterpretation of the industrial identity of the surrounding neighborhood. This reinterpretation of industrial history is sensitive to its context while integrating sustainable building technologies and putting forth a contemporary architectural twist.
Situated in Milan's largely industrial Biococca District, the surrounding architecture features a series of large early twentieth-century production plants of the former Breda Division. In a gesture to the surrounding grain of infrastructure, this new office addition features a terracotta-colored fiber cement facade and regularly spaced large windows that respond to the surrounding structures' size, scale, and openings.
With an emphasis on the openness and fluidity of spaces, two entrances on the ground floor allow visitors to walk through the Open 336 building from one side to the other, creating an arcade-like sense of passage and connection, as well as introducing more permeability to the bustle of the neighborhood. This indoor-to-outdoor connection is reinforced by an extensive greenery concept that includes wall gardens next to the entrance, the main terrace, and the top floor, along with small wall gardens on intermediate floors.
In response to the modern working lifestyle, private and professional spheres intersect, along with their related activities. This is achieved with the use of materials that recall the home environment layered upon office areas conceived as hybrid fluid spaces that give precedence to the well-being and comfort of people.
In addition, structural elements are integrated into the facade, allowing each floor to function as an open, seamless environment adaptable to the desired end-user layout, be it an open-plan office/co-working space or more intermediate arrangement. In short, this flexibility allows for a new way of experiencing work in a way that promotes interaction and relationships.
Finally, the building is a Net Carbon Zero concept. A pioneering approach was adopted during the project's development to minimize the environmental impact of construction emissions and consumption. Thanks to innovative technologies, emissions generated from the property throughout its useful life are reduced by 100%.
