Palazzo Broggi, The Medelan – Milan

Palazzo Broggi, with the superb concave façades of three other majestic Neo-Renaissance buildings, or “twin palaces,” forms the particularly striking and theatrical layout of Piazza Cordusio’s urban plan — an elliptical hub of six radial streets, once the financial center of Milan and now a vibrant focal point of the city’s social and commercial life.
As part of the refurbishment project, ESA engineering oversaw the design of the building systems and related site supervision, lighting design, acoustic engineering, fire safety design, energy strategies, and consultancy for obtaining WiredScore certification. The historical significance of the building influenced the design choices, aimed at preserving its integrity while ensuring compliance with the highest standards required by future office and retail occupants. The building’s complex structural configuration and the constraints imposed by heritage regulations made the intervention particularly intricate. The systems were strategically designed to enhance the complex’s energy performance while maintaining harmony with its architectural language. The adopted air-conditioning and ventilation system is hydronic and uses groundwater.
Three majestic interconnected buildings, dating back to different periods, define the palazzo’s magnificent façade. The lighting design project conceived a strategy capable of unifying the various architectural languages expressed in the uniqueness of their elevations. Using the window recesses as a common linking element, the lighting highlights the individuality of the styles with a warm tone, providing an overall coherent interpretation.