Beneath our feet lies a story of innovation, sustainability, and athletic ambition. Welcome to the Bocconi Sport Center. This isn’t just a sports facility. It is a testament to Bocconi University’s commitment to a modern, eco-conscious campus.
The Bocconi Sport Center is part of the university’s new campus expansion. The Japanese architectural studio SANAA designed it. The center stands on the former site of the Centrale del Latte in Milan. It embodies the spirit of American university campuses. It merges advanced technology with sustainable design.
Opened in September 2021, the Bocconi Sport Center quickly became a central point. It is a hub for university sports and Milanese public use. The opening ceremony featured Italy’s rhythmic gymnastics team. High-profile figures like Giovanni Malagò and Giuseppe Sala attended the inauguration.
Covering 17,000 square meters, the Bocconi Sport Center has four main levels. Each floor has balconies that face south. An undulating metal mesh screens these balconies. It creates a porous connection with the city. This design ensures natural light. It also reduces cooling loads during summer. Passive solutions minimize heat loss. They increase the building’s energy performance.
Let’s start our tour on the ground floor. The hall overlooks the Olympic-size swimming pool. You can easily access all the sports center areas from here. The first floor houses the fitness club. Virgin Active manages the fitness club. You will find state-of-the-art equipment for cardio and functional training here. The second floor features the Bocconi Sports Arena. It is home to Bocconi’s sports teams. This area includes a retractable grandstand seating 400. It also contains a multi-purpose gym. Here, students and locals play basketball, volleyball, and five-a-side football. Ascend to the third floor. A 220-meter indoor running track encircles the gym. It forms a ring structure suspended from above.
Descend to sublevel -1. You will discover the aquatic complex. It features a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool. There is also a 25-meter warm-up pool. Sublevel -2 houses the technical systems. This includes water filtration, treatment, and IT systems.
The aquatic center prioritizes digitization and sustainability. Its modular stainless-steel pool system reduces the carbon footprint. It optimizes energy performance. The main pool measures 51.55 x 15 meters. Its depth varies from 1.38 to 2.03 meters. It meets international standards for swimming, water polo, and artistic swimming. Advanced underwater cameras and intelligent training systems enhance the experience. A split movable bulkhead allows multiple activities. These activities include competitions and recreational swimming. The second pool measures 25 x 10 x 1.38 meters. It is perfect for warm-ups, instruction, and fitness.
The new Bocconi campus achieved LEED Platinum certification. It has high-performance building envelopes. Renewable energy sources are fully integrated. Solar photovoltaic panels adorn the roofs. A district heating and cooling system uses water from the Milanese water table. This system minimizes energy consumption. The air conditioning relies on an underground water circuit. It maintains a constant temperature.
LED systems adapt to the presence of people. They adjust to natural light levels. Over 150,000 lighting points are managed throughout the campus. An integrated Building Automation System manages all components. It monitors energy usage and detects malfunctions.
The Bocconi Sport Center is more than just a building. It shows Bocconi’s dedication to student life, community engagement, and environmental responsibility. It combines advanced facilities with sustainability. It ensures a vibrant future for sports and wellness here in Milan.