Volturno 33

The former Milanese headquarters of the PCI (Partito Comunista Italiano) has been reimagined as a contemporary residential building in the vibrant Isola district. The redevelopment project, while preserving the historical memory of the site, aims for a dialogue with contemporary Milan and the Alpine landscape in the background.

The reimagined facade along Via Volturno offers a fresh take on the existing curtain wall, employing a contemporary architectural vocabulary. It breaks away from its 19th-century neighbors through the introduction of perforated metal bow windows and green volumes, creating an interplay between interior and exterior spaces. The selected materials – anodized aluminum, slender vertical windows, and striking black clinker – nod to Milanese tradition with a touch of originality. The facade, punctuated by solids and voids, presents an introspective character, with the night area facing east and the day area facing west, enjoying expansive views of the transforming city and the Alps. Avoiding demolition, the design opts for a transformative addition, seeking a meaningful connection with the existing urban fabric, its ongoing evolution, and the broader natural horizon.