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Torre Velasca by BBPR

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Introduction

Milan is famous for many things, like cathedrals, castles, art, history, football, and fashion. One such spectacular beauty rose in the center of Milan during the 1950s. Post-war, when the country enjoyed a period of extraordinary economic development, architecture was evolving into modernism, and a Torre Velasca was born.

Torre Velasca is one of the most iconic buildings in the heart of Milan, Italy. It is a well-known skyscraper built from 1956 to 1958 by the prestigious architectural studio BBPR. The tower is a part of the first few modern structures built in Milan and a great example of Brutalist architecture. BBPR made sure to include modern characteristics in the structure while preserving the historic and cultural importance of Milan structures.  

Torre Velasca by BBPR - Sheet1
Introduction_@Hines

History

The tower is almost 100 meters tall and consists of 27 floors. It  has a fascinating mushroom-like shape. It was planned to stand out in the Milan skyline. The extruding projection is unlike any other structures in Milan. The building has narrow lower parts and wider floor plates at the top. The structure looks back on the Lombard Tradition made of medieval fortresses and towers, each having a distinguished characteristic. In these fortresses, the lower parts were always narrower, while the higher parts were extended by wooden beams or stone beams. These watchtowers were used during war times to protect Italian castles from invasion. Consequently, the shape of this building is a result of a modern depiction of the typical Italian medieval towers. The building is a beautiful blend between the historic past and modernity and kept the design feeling in context to its location. 

Torre Velasca by BBPR - Sheet2
Projection_@Hines

Configuration

The building houses retail stores, offices, and residential apartments.  The tower’s narrow bottom allowed the structure to create a plaza-like space at the ground which contributes to the socio-cultural aspects. The narrow lower part consists of commercial areas of 18 floors. The upper broader part of 9 floors with wider floor plates consists of spacious apartments with breathtaking views overlooking the city. During the 1950s construction of commercial structures meant shoving aside the residential structures but this combination of commercial and residential use of a structure brought in new opportunities in the field of architecture. 

Torre Velasca by BBPR - Sheet3
Plaza_@CRE Herald

Material Palette

The materials used are local and further enhance the resemblance to Milan’s structures. The tower and the supporting struts are made of stone and reinforced concrete cement. The windows and reflective panels are made of glass. On most of the buildings, windows create a repetitive pattern whereas in the tower Velasca multiple patterns were created using empty walls, windows, and reflective panels. This way the building could fulfill various needs of various people accommodating it.  

Torre Velasca by BBPR - Sheet4
Elevation_@Elle Decor

Conclusion

The building has been criticized for having a bulky impression and poorly representing Milan. It was said that it overpowers the intricate detailing. It was even mentioned as the “world’s ugliest building” by some. Past all that, there’s no denying that the building is a classic architectural beauty of historic Milan and in its way, the structure pays homage to the city’s medieval history. The Velasca Tower also paved the way for high-rise modern structures and revolutionized commercial-residential structures. 

Renovation

In 2011 the tower was placed under the protection of historic buildings. Currently, the tower is undergoing an extensive renovation process led by Asti Architetti and developed by Hines. In an interview with Asti, he said the Tower Velasca is destined to remain immortal so the group is working hard on preserving its original identity and specificity. They have finished working on the interiors and are currently working on the scaffolding which seems to be the most challenging aspect of renovation. The construction is estimated to be done by 2024.

Renovation_@ Salone del Mobile.milano
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Author

Isha Mutha is a student at MM College of architecture, Pune. She appreciates architecture but also has an undying passion for literature. Attempting to combine her design motives with creativity for storytelling. She strongly believes that a pen is mightier than a sword and hence changing perspectives one word at a time.

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