arata isozaki + andrea maffei: citylife

'citylife tower' by arata isozaki and andrea maffei, milan, italy
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei


designboom recently visited the milanese studio of arata isozaki and andrea maffei, where we received an
exclusive look at 'citylife', the new skyscraper currently under construction at the historic fairgrounds in milan.

designed in response to the city's chaotic industrial core, the office tower features a differentiated form which looks
to reinterpret and simplify the complex, urban tension of milan. part of a larger master plan, the design reflects the
city's changing aesthetic, its slim, modern facade representing a renewed urban center.



overall redevelopment of the historic milan fairgrounds
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei


a transparent architectural language reveals the mechanics and functional composition of the unit, its billowing, curved
facade and external struts distinguishing the floor plates, structure and organization of space. limited in its dimensions
- measuring a total of 21x58 meters - the narrow and streamlined footprint accentuates the building's verticality, its slender
shape extending well above the surrounding built environment.



overall view of tower
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei


unlike many high-rise towers which are organized around a central service core, 'citylife' arranges the shafts at either end
of the unit, sandwiching large and flexible office spaces in between. uniform in program, the units were developed as module
and endlessly repeatable, providing tenants with easy-to-transform environments.



night view of complex
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei


panels of double skin glass enclose the structure, its delicately contoured lines and contrasting rigid bracing generating
the identifiable appearance. fully glazed from floor to ceiling, each office space is provided with uninterrupted views
across the city.



side view of tower
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei



detail view at night
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei



in context
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei




andrea maffei talks to designboom about the citylife towers in milan



andrea maffei discusses the structural design behind the citylife towers



site plan
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei



floor plan / level 0
image courtesy ofarata isozaki and andrea maffei



typical floor plan
image courtesy of arata isozaki and andrea maffei



andrea maffei with physical model
portrait © designboom



base
image © designboom



external struts
image © designboom



entrance
image © designboom



side view
image © designboom