Velasca Tower, Milan

One of Milan’s best-known architectural symbols since 1958, the Velasca Tower—designed by Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbiano Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti and Ernesto Nathan Rogers, founders of Studio BBPR—offers a splendid testament to the modernity that this enterprising group of young architects achieved in their attempt to move beyond conventions of a rationalism they considered obsolete. For over 60 years the Tower has continued to rise with bold audacity and undiminished charm. The unmistakable beauty of its profile, a synthesis of great architecture and great engineering, reaffirms its charismatic presence over time with the same emotional intensity as a first encounter.

A manifestation of economic and social rebirth in the immediate post-war period, the building, in its uniqueness, speaks a language suspended between local needs and an international spirit, in harmony with its context and practical requirements. As a new paradigm, it responds to theoretical speculation and to those concepts of pre-existence, environment and continuity that Nathan Rogers, in particular, introduced and vigorously promoted in the architectural debate. Its urban identity evokes the atmosphere of ancient Milan—especially its medieval past—but engages primarily in a constructive dialogue with the buildings that form the heart of the city. Located in the historic business district near the Duomo, the Velasca Tower, with its height of over 106 meters and 27 floors, stands as a catalytic element in a prestigious urban setting.

The Velasca Tower, protected by the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage, was acquired by Hines in 2020 through a real estate investment fund managed by Prelios SGR, and underwent a renovation process by Asti Architetti. This renovation—deeply respectful of the architectural and cultural significance of this landmark and its square—aimed to ensure the functional and energy efficiency essential to any contemporary building. Today, the interiors host a combination of different functions, arranged and distributed to enable an efficient and dynamic flow while appropriately addressing the diverse expectations and needs of the local community.

Combining its solid experience in retrofitting historic buildings with the most advanced technical solutions, ESA engineering played an active and crucial role in the revitalization and retrofit of this landmark. As part of the renovation project, the ESA team oversaw MEP design, lighting design, fire prevention, acoustic engineering, energy and sustainability consulting, achieving LEED Gold and WiredScore Gold certifications.

A careful and thoughtful design approach—grounded in criteria capable of ensuring future, efficient sustainability—guided the development and implementation of mechanical systems such as ventilation, heating and cooling, engineered to deliver optimal performance across diverse spaces while remaining completely invisible to users. To ensure thermal comfort and easy adaptability throughout the year, including during transitional seasons, a centralized four-pipe hydronic HVAC system was conceived, capable of supplying both cooling and heating as needed. Water-cooled chillers with an evaporative cooling tower system were installed for chilled water production, and existing gas boilers were refurbished for hot water generation. Primary air is supplied through air handling units equipped with plate heat exchangers to safeguard occupant health.

Electrical systems were divided according to the functions housed within the Tower: a shared system with medium-voltage supply powers all common services; office and residential tenants each have dedicated low-voltage supply, while high-demand tenants such as the restaurant, parking garage and spa have dedicated medium-voltage supply. A BMS was adopted for energy consumption monitoring and optimization across all systems. The tower was equipped, in accordance with current lightning protection regulations, with a capture system fully integrated into the structure. The true engineering challenge lay in incorporating the latest MEP technologies and systems, updating standards to current regulations and safety codes while delivering a respectful intervention in a 1950s building—concealing equipment and electrical, hydronic and air-distribution systems within existing shafts and service areas.

The lighting design concept emerged from recognizing the significant role the Tower plays within the urban fabric. A thorough and comprehensive study of its architectural features formed the basis for a tailor-made lighting project that enhances its meaning and contextual presence. ESA designed both the façade lighting and the lighting of the surrounding urban square, Piazza Velasca. The drive for innovation never came at the expense of the historical, monumental and urban character that defines them. Dialogue—the key word linking contemporaneity and history, innovation and identity—is inspired by the movement and momentum currently characterizing the city of Milan.

The electrical systems are divided according to the programs present inside the Tower: a system of MV (Medium Voltage) supplies power to the common condominium services; for the various tenants of office and residential destinations, has been dedicated LV (Low Voltage) supply, while for all those activities that require higher energy usage, restaurant, garage, and spa, has been reserved MV (Medium Voltage) supply. A Building Management System (BMS) was foreseen to control and optimize the energy consumption necessary to power the mechanical units. The tower has been equipped with a lightning protection system, in accordance with the latest safety norms, completely embedded into the structure. The real challenge from an engineering point of view was to incorporate and integrate the latest MEP technologies and systems, updating the standards to current regulations and safety codes to offer a respectful intervention in a 50s structure, hiding hydronic, aeraulic, and electrical distribution equipment, in pre-existing cavities and service areas.

The concept of Lighting Design stemmed from the recognition of the value of the Tower within the city’s fabric. An in-depth and complete study of the building’s architectural features laid the basis for a tailor-made project, enhancing its meaning and contextualization. ESA has designed both the illumination of the façade and the surrounding urban square, Piazza Velasca. The desire for innovation has never ignored the historical, monumental, urban character that distinguishes the tower. Dialogue is the keyword that binds contemporaneity and history, innovation, and identity, inspired by the movement and momentum that the city of Milan itself is experiencing.