Pirelli 35

Located in a consolidated urban context within Milan’s Porta Nuova District, the refurbishment of the Pirelli 35 building is conceived to integrate seamlessly with its surroundings while introducing a contemporary architectural and technical upgrade. The project represents a new collaboration between Norwegian architecture practice Snøhetta and Italian studio Park Associati, combining international design excellence with local expertise to reshape an existing asset through strategic intervention and expansion.

The project includes the addition of a new volume and a connecting bridge that links the original structure with the extension. The intervention also introduces a new penthouse office floor, conceived as a lightweight element floating above the rooftop restaurant, as well as independent retail units at ground level. These “bubbles” are characterized by curved glazed façades and are connected to transparent courtyards at basement level, enhancing spatial continuity and daylight penetration.

FACES Engineering has been appointed to provide facade engineering and facade access consultancy for this complex refurbishment and extension project. The technical challenge lies in balancing architectural continuity with material differentiation across multiple building components and façade systems.

Clad in terracotta, the new extension responds to the scale of the surrounding residential buildings, while deliberately contrasting with the GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) system used to re-clad the existing façade. Together, these solutions balance architectural expression with buildable and efficient envelope systems, requiring advanced coordination between existing structural constraints and new performance requirements.

Sustainability is addressed through a series of targeted and measurable interventions. Low embodied-energy materials, along with reused and recycled components, are employed throughout the project. Photovoltaic roofs supply energy to a water-to-water heat pump system, supporting thermal generation and reducing operational energy demand.

A key environmental benefit is achieved through the reuse of the existing concrete structures. By preserving the primary structural framework, the project significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with new cement production, confirming a sustainable approach grounded in engineering efficiency and resource optimization. This strategy exemplifies how contemporary refurbishment can deliver architectural transformation while minimizing environmental impact through intelligent preservation and selective intervention.

The Pirelli 35 project demonstrates FACES’ capability to work on complex mixed-use renovations that require sophisticated coordination between multiple façade systems, structural integration, and demanding performance standards within established urban contexts.