LEED sustainable architecture educational tour in Milan

On May 4th 2022, we organized an educational tour in Milan in collaboration with Archivibe – platform of connections between architect's studios and design companies – to visit some influential Italian architecture firms: an unique opportunity to discover the design philosophy, the sustainable architecture and the top LEED certified projects.

The initiative was designed to provide architecture students, young architects, interior designers and architects the opportunity to live an extremely interesting and formative experience, learning from the masters.

The educational tour was also organised to celebrate the kitchen mapping in compliance with LEED v4.1 protocol, the worldwide most known sustainable architecture certification.

The LEED® certification interests the whole building: it does focus not only on one element such as energy, water, or health but it also looks at a bigger picture, taking into consideration all the critical issues which aim to create the best building possible.

As a matter of fact, 35% of LEED® credits have to do with global warming, 20% with men's health, 15% with water resources, 10% biodiversity, 10% green economy, 5% community and 5% natural resources.

In LEED® V4.1, the most part of LEED® credits has to do with operative and incorporated carbon.

The far-sighted architecture firms that kindly host the educational tour are: Mario Cucinella Architects, One Works, Progetto CMR and Dontstop architettura.

Mario Cucinella Architects

Mario Cucinella Architects is an architectural firm headquartered in Bologna and Milan with an International team of hundred professionals including architects, engineers, graphic designers, model makers and researchers. Mario Cucinella founded his own practice in Paris in 1992 followed by Bologna in 1999. All projects have in common a focus on technological integration with environmental and climate strategies to build buildings that can reduce their environmental impact and have a positive social impact through greater public participation.

They recently inaugurated the new Milan offices: 800 square meters spread over 3 levels, inside a former 1930s factory where the external façade has been maintained and the interior spaces have been totally redeveloped. The building will also contains the headquarters of SOS-School of Sustainability, a post-graduate training course founded by Mario Cucinella, open to young creatives and researchers, professionals and companies in the sector to develop sustainable architecture and innovative projects with a positive impact on society, the economy and the environment, through research and experimentation.

^{Andrea Rossi, Project Director at Mario Cucinella Architects, explains the design philosophy of the studio.}

One Works

One Works is a global design and consultancy firm, offering an integrated approach to architecture, infrastructure and urban engineering.

They believe in creating dynamic, intuitive and sustainable architectures where people and communities can connect with their environment, and with each other. Collaboration, Creativity, Commitment, and Passion are the key values that sit at the heart of everything One Works do.

Their Milan design headquarters is the central hub for 150 professionals working together across their nine strategic locations. One Works deliver a flexible and responsive approach to projects anywhere in the world.

^{Leonardo Cavalli led the education tour at One Works, of which he is founder and Managing Partner.}

Progetto CMR

Progetto CMR was founded in 1994 by three professionals with solid international experience: Massimo Roj, Marco Ferrario and Antonella Mantica. With an exceptional experience in the workspace planning, the three founders immediately aspired to re-invent the concept of workspace, re-interpreting the way office are designed. Progetto CMR is synonymous with integrated design.

They have gained considerable national and international experience, chasing a steady growth but still staying true to our belief: put the client first. Still today, their primary objective is to create a flexible, efficient and sustainable architecture starting from an in-depth analysis of the customers' needs.

^{The students visiting Progetto CMR were accompanied by Claudio Fulvio Panichi, Industrial Engineering Consultant and Contractor.}

Dontstop Architettura

Dontstop Architettura is an architectural practice that was founded in Milan in 2011, by Michele Brunello and Marco Brega. The horizontal structure of the studio encompasses three departments: Architecture, Design, and Research.

The most recent projects in Dontstop architettura's extensive portfolio include the redevelopment of the San Siro Stadium; the corporate identity and the construction of three new buildings for the FC Internazionale in Appiano Gentile; the Cluster of Spices, and a collaboration with the Austrian pavilion at EXPO 2015; numerous residential projects such as “Abitare in Maggiolina”, the Parco dell'Abitare district in Lodi and the models of prefabricated wooden buildings for eco-friendly social housing; urban interventions including the new Town Plan of the Municipality of Pordenone, and “Venice Opportunity Lab”, a strategic project for the development of sustainable tourism in Venice, in dialogue with the City Hall and Airbnb.