PARALLELO

The Parallelo business centre is a building which is radically unlike other business complexes in Milan: stretching horizontally over three floors raised 12 metres from the ground. The architectural design is the work of Mario Cucinella Architects studio to redefine the identity of the location with a structure by incorporating the building harmoniously into surroundings as a result of its horizontal layout and enabling employees to work while feeling immersed in nature.  

The impressive architecture has reinterpreted what has become the view of business centres, starting with the different orientation with respect to complexes that develop vertically.

The horizontal design of the complex also optimises movement in work areas and interaction between individuals, due to the close proximity of areas with complementary functions and the flexible layout of indoor areas.

Each floor measures roughly 4,000 sq.m. and can accommodate 300 people, enabling a considerable reduction in costs. Segmentation into modules on the same floor or over several floors guarantees full adaptability to various organisational requirements, meaning space can be used efficiently and conveniently. The building accommodates work departments covering a total business area of 14,000 square metres, including three overhanging suspended meeting rooms and one underhanging glazed meeting room.

Areas can easily be split horizontally or vertically, and segmented or combined into larger areas as required.

A private plaza opposite the front contains bar and catering facilities covering 4,500 square metres, creating a relaxation area reserved for employees and visitors to the centre. The plaza and public garden enable spatial continuity between indoors and outdoors by combining structural elements with aspects of the surrounding city, namely the transparent façades and terraces with tree-lined thoroughfares and pedestrian walkways.  

The project's originality meant that the development of the integrated/detailed design required the integration of various disciplines, namely building design, plant engineering design, and structural design. One feature, for example, was to coordinate planning for the design of routing for installations (mechanical, electrical and BMS monitoring) within a honeycomb beam structure embedded in the ceiling.  

To make the building more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, a photovoltaic and solar panel system installed on the roof can meet winter electricity requirements, and contribute to producing most of the electricity required for cooling in summer. In terms of sustainable efficiency, the technical characteristics of the façade, the use of heat pumps, the volumetric configuration and the orientation of the photovoltaic roofing enable the building to generate annual energy output of 150,000 kWh. Space optimisation, in addition to engineering solutions and the decision to include facility management in the structure, also reduce overall management costs considerably for the complex, which is currently class A certified.