The Experia Masterplan is a 480,000 sqm urban regeneration plan for the Milan Expo area, proposed by the Vitali – Condotte – Stam consortium with both HOK and Progetto CMR as Lead Architects. The project was presented today in Milan as a first-ever preview to an audience of more than 300 real estate leaders.
As shown by Massimo Roj, CEO of Progetto CMR, and Massimo Vitali, President of Vitali, Experia is a sustainable urban requalification, a new human-scale centre of excellence for Milan where research, healthcare, innovation, culture, education and well-being are all synergically integrated. In preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural landscape of 2015 Expo, the Masterplan creates an urban scenario designed for and with the people who will experience it.
The project keeps the existing modular grid and the two main axis of the Expo area, the Cardo and Decumano. The Decumano is transformed into a green promenade used for public transportation and pedestrian circulation, allowing people to fully enjoy the Park Experience, the 440,000 sqm linear park that crosses the entire masterplan in a “bar-code” movement.
The ratio of built and natural areas is well balanced in order to achieve the goals set by the sustainability triple bottom line: building volumes ensure economical sustainability; the variety of functions improves social sustainability, while the adopted architectural solutions limit soil consumption thus enhancing environmental sustainability.
Experia counts three main districts:
- The Technology District to the West, dedicated to offices, labs and start-ups;
- The Research District, dedicated to urban farming, data analysis and pharmacy;
- The Innovation District to the East end, dedicated to finance, fashion and design firms.
Each district features a Landmark tower, contributing to the creation of a new and attractive skyline in Milan. The new buildings are harmonically integrated with the pre-existing structures (such as the Tree of Life and the Italian Pavilion), which will not be dismantled and – on the contrary - will be given new functions.
Energy efficiency is a key focus in Experia: renewable energy will amount to 75% of the energy consumption for heating and cooling, heated water and artificial lighting. Mobility strategies aim at limiting consumption and pollution as well, promoting public and shared transportation modes.
Experia is the result of an international team-working. The consortium, led by Vitali, Condotte and Stam, with HOK and Progetto CMR as main architects, is supported by a large and varied group of experienced consultants: Ambiente Italia, IBM, KCity, MIC Mobility in Chain, Politecnico di Milano, SD Partners and Siemens.