Did you know that the Edificio di Via Roentgen is also known as Edificio Grafton? This modern office building stands on Via Guglielmo Roentgen. It is a vital part of Milan’s architectural landscape.
The Edificio di Via Roentgen was completed in 2008. It now serves as a key office building for Bocconi University. The Irish studio Grafton Architects designed it. Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara led the design team. They won the design competition in 2001. The Edificio di Via Roentgen also won the prestigious World Building of the Year award in 2008.
Facing Viale Bligny and Via Roentgen, the building presents an imposing facade. This facade is monumental and stone-clad. It appears almost windowless from the outside. The Edificio di Via Roentgen extends inward with alternating blocks and courtyards. The ground floor is open and accessible to the public.
The Edificio di Via Roentgen sits on a rectangular plot. This plot measures 70 by 160 meters. It is located within the Bocconi University complex. The building’s location is at the corner of Viale Bligny and Via Roentgen. The campus integrates seamlessly into the urban fabric. It is only a 10-minute walk from Milan’s bustling center.
Grafton Architects envisioned the Edificio di Via Roentgen. They saw it as a stone fortress. It appears solid but is permeable and open to the city. The interior acts as a grand marketplace. The hall serves as a filter. It connects the city and the university.
The architects drew inspiration from Milanese architecture. They looked at the nearby Broletto market’s vitality. They also studied buildings with inner courtyards and gardens. The design revolves around floating volumes. It also focuses on diffused natural light.
The Edificio di Via Roentgen covers 45000 square meters. Adding parking and technical areas increases this to 65000 square meters. It recedes from Via Roentgen and Viale Bligny. This creates a public space. A sidewalk measures 19 by 90 meters. The entrance is on the lively Viale Bligny. A stunning glass wall connects visitors visually to the city. The lobby spans 2500 square meters. A 500-square-meter section serves as an exhibition hall.
The building houses Bocconi’s entire faculty. This includes seven departments. It also includes 20 research centers. There are also four laboratories. The Edificio di Via Roentgen hosts conferences and events. It features 34 meeting rooms. The Aula Magna is a public auditorium. It symbolizes Bocconi’s connection to Milan. Located on the ground floor, it seats 1000 people. There are eight relaxation rooms. An underground parking lot accommodates 200 cars.
Its structural system resembles bridge construction. The interior lacks pillars. This allows for patios and hanging gardens. Terraces appear on various levels. Natural light floods these spaces. It even reaches the underground levels.
Research offices occupy the beams. These hang to form a canopy. This filters light to all levels. The floating canopy merges city space with university life. Public spaces blend.
Color-coding aids navigation. It identifies the seven departments. Colors are based on typical Italian building hues. Earthy brown starts on the ground floor. Sky blue appears from the fifth floor.
Large concrete pillars and wall beams support the roof beams. Offices, courtyards, and gardens hang from these. Floors hang from steel cables. This mirrors bridge construction.
The Aula Magna’s exterior wall reaches the building’s full height. Upper-level offices inhabit its attic. This large hall anchors the entire building.
The Aula Magna and Boardroom volumes protect against solar gain. They also provide acoustic protection. Patios provide ventilation and natural light. Window systems maximize light and minimize glare.
A geothermal heat pump powers the heating system. It uses groundwater heat and emits zero emissions. The exterior uses Ceppo stone. This comes from rivers near Lake Iseo. It is more durable than concrete. It is common in Milan’s distinguished buildings.
The Edificio di Via Roentgen stands as a testament to innovative design. It is also a commitment to sustainability. It integrates university life with the city.