Progetto CMR - De Castilla 23 - Porta Nuova Milano - fr architettura - image ©Progetto CMR

De Castillia 23: A Symbol of Green Architecture and Urban Regeneration in Milan

Milan – Italy

Progetto Creativo

A symbol of architectural sustainability at the center of Milan

In the beating heart of the Isola district, within the Porta Nuova area of Milan, stands De Castillia 23, a building that embodies the essence of sustainable urban regeneration. Designed by CMR Project for the Unipol Group, this structure is not only an example of green architecture, but also a virtuous model of redevelopment of existing heritage. FRarchitecture contributed to the technical development of this important project regarding the exterior facades.

The eco-active skin: innovation and functionality

One of the distinctive characteristics of De Castillia 23 is the eco-active ventilated facade, an innovative element which enhances the design of the building and plays a significant role for sustainability. In fact, this “skin” – which was designed with the Active Surfaces® of Fiandre Architectural Surfaces and implemented by the Granitech system – has several benefits for the environment and the users.

The main benefits of this solution are:

Less atmospheric pollution: the facade absorbs up to 59 kg of nitrogen monoxides per year, which is the equivalent of what 200,000 sq m of green areas save. This significantly improves the air quality in the urban area.
Energetic efficiency: the extended surfaces of the glass facades guarantee natural light in the indoor spaces during up to 70% of the working time, so as to save energy consumption. This is a crucial step towards optimizing energy consumption and decreasing the environmental impact.
Improvement of the environmental quality: the “eco-active” facade is also a beneficial improvement for spaces, both outdoors and indoors, as it makes the environment healthier for all the users of the building.

Last generation energetic systems

De Castillia 23 is not only innovative for its aesthetic, but also for its technology. The building has last generation softwares that take advantage of renewable energies to satisfy the energetic requirements. By doing so, it reduces the environmental impact and contributes to a more sustainable future.

The main energetic systems are:

Photovoltaic energy: the building has solar panels that generate about 40,000 kWh of clean energy per year. This significantly reduces CO2 emissions, as it eliminates about 13 tons of greenhouse gases every year.
Integrated green spaces: the building is sorrounded by 2,000 sq m of green, which absorbs 12 tons of CO2 per year and releases about 9 tons of oxygen. Green spaces help the creation of a better microclimate and a better living environment for users and inhabitants.

An award for sustainability

The commitment of De Castillia 23 to combining innovation, sustainability, and design is internationally recognized. This confirms its role of avant-garde in the design of eco-sustainable buildings.

Major awards received include:

Premio RĒGULA 2022 in the category “Green architecture” for its major impact on the environmental urban quality.
Award of Excellence CTBUH 2022 is a prestigious award that certifies innovation in the department of tall buildings.
These awards testify the value of the project and the commitment of Progetto CMR in the realization of buildings which combine aesthetic, functionality, and sustainability.

Urban regeneration: a new chapter for Milan

De Castillia 23 represents a concrete example of how buildings can turn into symbols of sustainability. De Castillia 23 comes from the refurbishment of an unfinished building. For this reason, it is a model for urban regeneration and a point of reference for green architecture.

The refurbishment not only renewed an abandoned building but also improved the quality of life in one of the most dynamic areas of Milan. This project offers a vision for the future of the city, in which architecture, sustainability, and regeneration intertwine to create urban spaces that are more livable, ecologic, and modern.

To sum it up, De Castillia 23 is more than a building: because of its innovative solutions and its avant-garde design, it is a manifest of sustainable architecture that plays a significant role in the skyline of Milan and in the international panorama of urban regeneration.

Intervention details and credits:

Type:
1010.4 SGP laminated

Client:
Costruzioni Generali Gilardi S.p.A.

Architect:
Massimo Roj Progetto CMR

Location:
Milan – Italy

Flanders Architectural Surfaces:
Supplier of Active Surfaces®, innovative and environmentally sustainable materials used for the building’s ventilated facade. These surfaces help reduce air pollution and improve energy efficiency.

Granitech:
Supplier of the installation system for Active Surfaces®, which made possible the creation of the eco-active facade of De Castillia 23.

Unipol Group:
Owner of the building and promoter of the project, committed to making De Castillia 23 a benchmark for sustainable architecture in Milan.

RĒGULA 2022 Award:
Awarded in the Green Architecture category for commitment to sustainability and design.

CTBUH 2022 Award of Excellence:
International recognition attesting to De Castillia 23 ‘s excellence in tall buildings.