The building known as “Palazzo Campari” was designed in the 1960s by Ermenegildo and Eugenio Soncini in the heart of Milan and was one of a series of buildings that emerged during the economic boom years, representing a new aspect of corporate identity for Italian industry. It was originally characterised by the burnished colour of the metal structure of the facade, tinted glass of the curtain walling and the brown metallic paint used for the smaller block in via Cavalieri given over to residential use. When it was built, it was considered to be modern and technologically advanced, even experimental. Today however, many of its undeniably attractive aspects have become outdated with regards to current standards of building construction. For this reason the new owner, aware of its quality and evocative presence, decided to bring in architects to redesign the complex.

With respect to the original layout, the aim of the new scheme was to provide a maximum level of flexibility in terms of the division of the internal spaces with sense of uniformity also given by the system of the internal lighting and improved access and circulation.

Other elements central to the design were the use of additional space at ground floor level as well as an overall reworking of the structure of the elevations, made much more open and vibrant especially on via Turati and part of via Cavalieri. With the elevations pulled back with respect to the original boundary it has been possible to eliminate cold bridging – at the time not considered – the useful floor area has been shifted allowing new spaces to be built at ground level, now given over to tertiary use. The landscaped courtyard meanwhile, the heart of the original scheme, has been retained and reworked into a bright new design.

The new elevations are the main feature of the design. On via Turati boxes in perforated and press-formed aluminium in a burnished colour (lit up at night) are used in a rhythm that enables the elevation to be reworked also to ensure maximum flexibility in terms of the division of the internal spaces. In the courtyard a close relationship has been created between the interior and exterior; on via Cavalieri the original lower elevation that is in direct relation with the nearby Cà Brutta, appears sleek and flat, with predominant use of grey for the glazed surfaces, smooth and reflecting its historic surroundings.

In the recent years in Milan has arisen the need to recover buildings that are no longer efficient or adequate, totally altering the original plant. Recovering what already exists by improving their environmental performance with retrofitting actions is a sustainable choice because it saves the territory, which is a non-renewable and very limited resource.

In these terms, the film illustrates two projects by the Milan Studio Park Associati. 

La Serenissima
This building, designed in 1962 for Campari firm by the Soncini brothers could have been considered modern and technologically advanced for its time. Actually, in the contemporary condition, many of its aspects had however proved to be costly and inefficient from an energy saving point of view.

The film illustrates the project of the Milanese Studio Park Associati, completed in 2012, where it was decided to proceed with a restyling but adhering to the original setting.

Particular attention was paid to the front system, through a process of facades’ redefinition, blent in character and height, without compromising the original charm.

This careful work also constitutes an emblematic case of energy recovery based mainly on the heat loss containment and appointed the IQU (Innovation and Urban Quality) award in the category ‘Architecture and City, works realized’.

Watch Retrofitting Milanese and learn more on La Serenissima