The Arcadia Center headquarters is new landmark in the Gallaratese suburb of Milan. An amazing building, designed by architect Giuseppe Tortato for InvestiRE SGR. The restoration is the result of an ambitious urban renewal project, characterised by architecture where the sinuous lines of the facade unexpectedly merge with the angular and dark lines of the rest of the structure.
The new air conditioning system, supplied by Mitsubishi Electric and designed by Tekser, is based on 2 Climaveneta-branded multipurpose heat pumps FX-WQ/S 2602 with groundwater as a source, and a heat pump for the production of very high-temperature water, EW-HT /0262, also Climaveneta branded. The multipurpose units simultaneously produce hot and cold water, ensuring maximum comfort in every season, even in over-crowded and multi-functional rooms. The presence of groundwater as a renewable source also maximizes the energy efficiency of the heat pumps. The HVAC plant is controlled by ClimaPRO, the management and optimisation system for every single component directly involved in the production and distribution of heating and cooling. The plant has been built with a state-of-the-art and eco-friendly solution that can offer maximum performance by cutting local CO₂ emissions and reducing energy consumption by more than 30 per cent as compared to a traditional HVAC plant.
The project is an excellent example of retrofitting, and includes the redevelopment of two adjacent factory structures, with a total area of 23,000 square meters, distributed over two basement levels that are used for technical rooms and warehouses, a mezzanine floor that houses the reception and common spaces and finally 5 above ground floors mainly reserved for offices. The buildings have maintained the existing supporting structure, while the roof (including the exposed M&E systems) and the gatehouse were demolished. The façade was completely rethought with the aim of improving the energy performance of the complex and ensuring maximum internal comfort.
Arcadia Center is, therefore, a green building which has obtained LEED environmental sustainability certified performance. In addition, attention was paid to the topic of safety.
