tortona 37 by matteo thun & partners
image courtesy matteo thun & partners

the transformation of via tortona in milan, which was started back in the 1990s, is continuing,
revealing its full potential for redeveloping and reinterpreting some of the most interesting
urban spots in the city.

the tortona 37 project by matteo thun & partners is part of this process of reusing the land and
strengthening it through low environmental impact architecture. a building project which salvages
a former industrial plant covering 25,000 square metres (it used to belong to general electric)
and restores it to the city throughcutting-edge energy-efficient technology.


tortona 37 by matteo thun & partners
image courtesy matteo thun & partners

tortona 37 is a mixed-purpose architectural complex composed of five buildings set out like
the courtyard around a garden planted with trees. each rectangular-based building has 6 levels
allowing double-exposures for the property units. they are double height (7 m) units generating
open spaces with an interior mezzanine of great functional versatility. here showrooms,
laboratories, professional studios, shop and offices find their own custom design: the highly
flexible interior spaces also ensure sustainably over time.


tortona 37 by matteo thun & partners
image © paolo riolzi

the shell
the glass facade, incorporated in a system of outside curtains, is highly efficient at reducing
the impact of sunlight (up to 87%) to prevent the interiors from overheating during summer.
further screening is provided by the wooden shutters (a material used “purely”) on the
window frames and large overhanging bow-windows, so that its image evolves naturally
over time.


tortona 37 by matteo thun & partners
image © paolo riolzi


sustainability for the tortona 37 project
image courtesy matteo thun & partners



wells that extract groundwater to heat and cool the building
image courtesy matteo thun & partners


wells that extract groundwater to heat and cool the building
image courtesy matteo thun & partners


four wells extract groundwater at a temperature of between 14°C-16°C depending on the
time of year. the water is conveyed into an underground catchment and decantation tank
and then supplied to each of the individual building units by means of heat pumps.
tortona 37 uses a mixed system of primary air and radiant ceiling panels for climatising
the interiors. the panels are supplied by ‘low-temperature hot’ water in winter and ‘high
temperature cold’ water in summer and only require a minimum amount of energy to operate
at various times of year. moreover, the ambient temperature is controlled by means of irradiation
with no noise or air currents to ensure maximum comfort in the areas occupied by people.

the primary air is provided by processing units fitted with pre-processing batteries also drawing
on ground water. compared to conventional systems, the main benefits are high energy efficiency,
zero emission at the installation site, no sound or landscape impact.

tortona 37 plan
image courtesy matteo thun & partners


the building was opened during milan design week showings its development and the
framework of the final building.