Park City Life, Milano
with Giugiaro Architettura, Spadolini Architetti, Fagnoni Associati, MRM Architetti, 2010
The competition for City Life, prestigious architectural ensemble that is to define the new quartier of the Messe, was held by restricted teams. The challenges laid in the changes in heights, managing the constraints of this floating structure upon which the 22 hectares of public and private park should grow. The program included providing path connections from main underground stations, connecting the central shopping area to the park, 6 meters above, introducing a major regional bike path, providing major recreational areas across many different audiences. Our team chose a solution respecting the budget constraints of the program. The resulting design is made of a series of private space islands and larger public grounds defined by the network of curving paths. A large palette of 2500 trees adorns the park. In order to buffer the private gardens and enrich the scenography as one moves through the park, earth modulations are designed. These are held back with small retaining walls that become sitting possibilities. Water recollection is done by the permeable path material and gathered in the center water area. The project was ranked third place.