Is it merely a coincidence that III Palazzo Uffici ENI, nicknamed the Kremlin, stands as a silent testament to ENI’s fluctuating fortunes? This striking red edifice in San Donato Milanese, once pulsated with the energy of a global energy giant. Designed by a team of architectural titans – Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva, and Marco Albini – its inauguration in 1974 marked an era of prosperity and prestige for ENI. Imagine walking through its vast, open-plan offices, the sunlight streaming through the expansive glass facades. A sense of interconnectedness prevailed, facilitated by the building’s unique layout – a cross-shaped structure with strategically placed widenings and recesses. At its heart, a monumental steel spiral staircase with natural stone steps, a beacon of strength and elegance, connected all five floors. But III Palazzo Uffici ENI, in its striking red, also witnessed ENI’s tumultuous journey. The financial scandals of Tangentopoli, casting a long shadow over Italy, left their mark on the building, forever associating it with the “Kremlin”. Today, the III Palazzo Uffici ENI stands deserted, a poignant symbol of changing times, awaiting its next chapter.
Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno Monzese
“A timeless sanctuary,” the old woman whispered, her gaze fixed on the rows of marble within Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno