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The concept was driven by the desire to design a building that could interact with light and its surroundings through a dynamic, expressive façade. A rhythmic alternation of glazed and opaque modules composes an architectural melody of light and shadow, transparency and solidity, creating optimal natural illumination inside. The façade becomes a living surface, constantly evolving throughout the day thanks to iridescent metallic panels that shift from light grey to blue, echoing the industrial past of the Vedani Foundry. This visual dynamism is not just aesthetic but symbolic—a dialogue between past and present, function and memory.
As the final building of The Sign development—designed by the same architect—Building D completes the transformation of the former Vedani Foundry site into a vibrant, innovative business district in southwest Milan. The project revitalizes a once disused industrial area by introducing a large public square, abundant green spaces fostering biodiversity, and a variety of services accessible to workers and the local community. This last phase reinforces the district’s identity as a sustainable, inclusive hub that reconnects urban fabric, promotes social interaction, and enhances residents’ and visitors’ quality of life, balancing nature and city life in a unique way.
The choice of the building's facade, clad in iridescent aluminum composite panels, is based on a blend of aesthetic, historical, and technical criteria. Aesthetically, the panels' dynamic, color-shifting surface captures and reflects natural light, giving the building a vibrant, organic, and ever-changing appearance. This material choice also connects the new architecture to the site's industrial past, once home to the historic Vedani steelworks, reinterpreting the location’s heritage in a contemporary way. Technically, aluminum was the optimal choice due to its lightweight properties, which simplified installation and reduced costs. The use of these panels ensures material and formal continuity with the other 3 buildings in the masterplan for The Sign development, designed by Progetto CMR.
Sustainability is a key focus of the project. The façades combine glazed and opaque panels to balance natural light and reduce solar heat gain, improving energy efficiency. The Sign is the first urban regeneration project in Italy to receive the BiodiverCity® certification, recognizing its dedication to biodiversity through green areas designed as habitats for local wildlife. The building aims for WELL certification to support occupant well-being and already holds LEED Platinum and WiredScore Platinum certifications, reflecting its advanced energy, environmental, and technological solutions.
The project stands out for its innovative architectural language, sustainability, and urban boldness. The building’s architecture is characterized by a dynamic composition of ten floors arranged in staggered blocks, breaking the conventional verticality and creating terraces with panoramic views over Milan. The distinctive pedestrian passage on the ground floor links two public squares, fostering social interaction and strengthening urban connectivity. The façades are composed of alternating glazed and opaque modules in a rhythmic pattern, creating an architectural “melody” of light and shadow that modulates natural illumination inside. This “inside-out” design approach aligns the internal structural grid with the exterior panels, ensuring harmony between form and function. The metallic cladding’s iridescent hues shift throughout the day, recalling the industrial heritage of the Vedani Foundry while symbolizing transformation and continuity. These elements combine to produce a living, evolving architecture that engages both occupants and the city.
Progetto CMR is an integrated design firm founded in 1994 in Milan, with offices in several cities worldwide. Part of the Progetto CMR International group, the firm develops flexible, sustainable, and human-centered architecture through a multidisciplinary approach. Its design philosophy combines innovation, functionality, and environmental responsibility, with a strong focus on well-being and performance. Progetto CMR has carried out major national and international projects, earning numerous awards for excellence in urban regeneration, workplace design, and sustainability
