'milano stadt krone 2030' proposal - bird's eye view by rojkind arquitectos
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


mexican rojkind arquitectos were commissioned by the architectural and urban forum (AUFO)
of milan to develop one of 12 proposals for the recent exhibition 'milano stadt krone 2030'
- filling the void which offered densification solutions of the city.

their design is rooted in a careful observation of milan’s urban ancestry, specifically medieval
planning and the pedestrian experience this afforded the italian city. the area chosen displays
an undesired discontinuity of the urban fabric and their goal was to saturate this urban void,
connecting the adjacent neighborhoods, by adding a dense mix of program.

in consideration for a desired residence of 25.000 people the design includes corresponding
services and specific programs (cinema, theatre, etc.) that try to distinguish the area not only
as a new development area, but as a unique urban hub in the city of milan.



courtyards
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos

one of the main concerns in the design was to bridge surrounding areas by means of higher
densities, revitalizing the urban fabric with a combination of program that animates the area
24 hours a day, making it safer and appealing to other residents of the city.



pathway
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos

another important strategy includes fragmenting the existing green space, creating new realms
of social interaction in a range of different public venues (ground green areas, courtyards,
roof gardens, new system of navigable canals).



courtyard view
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos

the introduction of courtyard typologies in the urban fabric adds new conditions of interaction;
increasing layers of publicto-private transitions. these transitions allow for an array of new settings
for children to play safely under the visual supervision of their parents, for increased opportunities
of community interactions and an extended sense of ownership without recurring to private green
spaces.

believing that a mix of residential and commercial functions is the key to the vitality and success
of a new urban area, they positioned retail space at the first floor of all the buildings; creating an
active ribbon along the streets and walkways of the area.



section perspective
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos

performative facades transition from a high density brick-like pattern at ground level to
a lighter glass and fin structure at the top of the building, creating a wide range of user experiences
and allowing for an ideological reading of this transition from old milan to a new vision for
the future.



section view
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos





a system of navigable canals is built to enrich the urban streetscape and enhance the use
of water as a means of transportation. the larger canal (naviglio) is now part of a bigger network
that unifies the new development instead of bisecting it.




residential/office distribution diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


the design proposal for san cristoforo is not contained in a precise boundary but tries to overflow
and therefore contaminate the surrounding areas, inspiring rather than imposing a new way of thinking
about urban renewal that can be replicated in other parts of the city; a new way of thinking and designing
a coherent and invigorated network of relations between citizens, nature, program and infrastructure.



commercial strategy diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


key public sites diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos

height studies diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


existing infrastructure diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


connections diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos


project boundary diagram
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facade evolution diagram
image courtesy rojkind arquitectos



milano stadt krone 2030
project - milan: filling the void
architectural project
rojkind arquitectos - michel rojkind (design principal)
project team: carlo maría ciampoli, alonso de la fuente, yasser salomon, manuel díaz salas.
design date: 2010
location: milan, italy