The project relates to the realization of a new innovative building complex and the upgrading of an industrial area of more than 25,000 m² dating to the 1950s.
The intervention has interested both the architecture and to a broader extent the urban area, with the goal of reuniting the area to the surrounding context, allowing it to return to being part of the fabric of the district, improving its global quality. The façades of the three new buildings, designed to transmit the concept of innovation, are characterised by the presence of a series of golden strips which alternate with the transparencies of the glass in a lively and vibrant sequence with movements of volumes.

The common thread of the intervention is the Sign, a transparent fracture which runs along the façades ofthe buildings and continues in the paving of the Smart Square onto which they face, making the paving in stone take on a darker colour highlighted by a luminous vein made of recessed led lighting. The architecture and the central square of 4,000 m², refreshed by the presence of trees and rich in technological equipment, are conceived as a recognisable sign of the urban scenario.

Milan; the city of fashion par excellence, is undergoing a period of renewal and many of its districts have been given a face-lift, giving them a new lease of life.

This is what happened in this area, near to IULM University, which had fallen into neglect. 

The aim of this urban regeneration project was to turn a 1950s industrial area into an area where businesses are able to invest in innovation and tech development. 

This area, nicknamed The Sign, is attracting and welcoming companies into the community by offering new, flexible workspaces.

The buildings, surrounding areas and green areas needed a duteous design, as you would expect in this city such as this.

The ULMA drainage channel systems were part of this renovation. 

The new buildings have glass facades, without any conventional rainwater collection systems such as roof gutters.

As a result, all of the water flows directly to then be drained via our channels, which are placed around the whole perimeter of the building. The drainage system is located right alongside the facade, as you can see in the images.

MultiV channels, effective drainage
Since all of the water flows towards here, we have installed MULTIV channels, which are 200 mm in width. 

These channels have a specially designed V-shape to allow the water to drain quickly, thus increasing their hydraulic capacity. 

By draining the water more quickly, the self-cleaning effect of the channel is also improved, reducing the need for maintenance, as the water itself sweeps away any sediments that have accumulated in the channel during dry spells.

To summarise, they were designed to effectively drain large amounts of water, despite being smaller.

Rapidlock® system, quick and safe
As well as being hydraulically efficient, the grating of these channels are quick and easy to install thanks to the Rapidlock® fixing system. 

With this system, installers do not need any tools to fix the grating to the channel. When pressed down onto the channel, they are attached at 8 different points along each linear metre. 

Due to this rapid installation process, you will reduce labour costs and save time, without compromising/reducing safety. 

In total, we have installed 450 linear metres of the 200 mm-wide MultiV channel and longitudinal slotted ductile iron gratings, arranged in an intelligent, effective way that is visually pleasing. 

Milan leads the world in design and style; will perimeter drainage become a new trend? Only time will tell.

If you are interested in these, or any other channels in our range, contact us.