3M Office Building Design by Mario Cucinella Architect in Italy
The new 10,300m2 headquarters office building for the company 3M is design by Mario Cucinella Architect, located on the outskirts of Milan in the Pioltello district. The building is the first to be built on the site as part of a masterplan completed by MC A in 2005. A linear building, 105m long and 21m wide, it has a terraced form stepping down from five to two storeys.
The form and orientation of the building allow optimal environmental control. The north, east and west facades have specially designed glazing and shading systems. The south face of the building steps creating a series of terraces that provide shaded outdoor space for the office workers. The terraces act as an environmental buffer space that protecting the building from climate extremes in both summer and winter.
Environmental analysis of the building in context led to the choice of an active solution for the roof and facades. Photovoltaics are integrated into the design and produce energy while giving a shimmering technological aesthetic to the building.
