Garibaldi Barracks: regenerated memory for new Cattolica University campus in Milan, Italy
Beretta Associati
Education
/
Future
The idea behind the project is to expand the historic headquarters of the Catholic University to meet the growing demand for educational spaces and integrated services. The conversion of the Garibaldi Barracks follows a concept of urban regeneration that preserves the architectural heritage while creating a modern, functional campus. Developed with a conservative approach, the project integrates with the Largo Gemelli hub, forming a large unified campus in the heart of Milan. The first phase, the Santa Valeria Wing, completed in 2025, includes 40 classrooms, social spaces, and vertical connections, while maintaining the original structure through restoration, seismic upgrades, and system improvements.
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The project is set within the historic and urban context of Milan, with a strong focus on the relationship between architecture and the city. The Garibaldi Barracks, a significant 19th-century building, is enhanced through the preservation of its original features, while the new interior spaces are designed to open up to the outside, creating a dialogue with the surrounding squares, streets, and gardens. This is achieved through continuity with the Largo Gemelli hub, ensured by integrated pedestrian pathways and existing public spaces.
Sustainability is one of the key pillars of the project. The intervention includes the adoption of variable air volume (VAV) climate control systems for each classroom, with future plans for the implementation of geothermal technologies and high-performance heat pumps aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and energy consumption. The integration of building systems within the architectural elements ensures the preservation of the historic aesthetic. Furthermore, the project is LEED BD+C v4 Core & Shell GOLD certified and WELL® certified, demonstrating high standards of energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor environmental quality. The use of low-emission and recycled materials, combined with advanced building systems, ensures a strong ecological footprint.
The Garibaldi Barracks project represents a virtuous example of urban regeneration and conservation, breathing new life into a historic building as a university campus. One of its main strengths is its ability to blend respect for the existing structures with architectural and functional innovation. The restoration has recovered the building's original layout, freeing up interior spaces and enhancing the historic courtyards, while new glass volumes and underground spaces create a contemporary language in harmonious dialogue with the context. The project proposes large, flexible educational spaces and services dedicated to the university community, set within a dispersed campus environment that strengthens its public vocation. A particularly significant intervention is the underground space in the North Courtyard, where a former 1970s garage has been transformed into seven large classrooms, totaling 2,500 seats, including a 776-seat auditorium. The architectural choice of linear, minimalist volumes fosters a respectful dialogue with the historic buildings. The project also integrates sustainable solutions and high-efficiency systems, aligning with environmental and energy well-being goals, laying the foundations for an inclusive, innovative campus fully integrated into the heart of Milan.
The expansion of the Catholic University within the Garibaldi Barracks seemed almost a natural step. Not only in terms of proximity but also as a historical and social phenomenon, representing the right synergy between public functions. The project demonstrates how the enhancement of heritage can integrate with contemporary needs, creating inclusive spaces in balance between memory and innovation, where architecture becomes a driver of urban and cultural regeneration.
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In the North Courtyard, the underground intervention
Milano
Italy
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
education
01/2030
53498 sq. m
Confidential
beretta associati
Architectural Design: Beretta Associati srl - MEP Design: Tekser Srl - Structural Design: Redesco Progetti Srl - Geological Surveys and Architectural Topographic Surveys: Geosat Srl
ARS AEDIFICANDI SPA
Fire Safety: Fabio Carminati – Safety: Architect Marco Campanella – Project Manager: COIMA
Studio Restauri Formica s.r.l.
Bio
Beretta Associati is an architectural firm with over sixty years of experience, founded in 1964 by Gianmaria Beretta and later joined by his brother Roberto. The firm works in various sectors: commercial, residential, restoration, retail, tourism, and interior design. The design approach is based on a thorough analysis of the client's needs and the context, with a focus on architectural detail. The studio employs around thirty professionals and collaborates with external consultants, including structural and systems engineers. Through partnerships with international promoters and funds, the firm has gained expertise on a global scale. In 2025, architect Federico Aldini took over as technical and managing director.
