SOM's Modern Transformation of Milan's Corso Italia 23
Global architectural practice SOM has undertaken a significant refurbishment of the Corso Italia 23 complex in Milan, originally constructed in the 1960s. This project involved a comprehensive update of its modernist framework and previously disjointed internal spaces, bringing them into alignment with contemporary architectural and functional expectations. The sprawling 46,500-square-meter development, which spans an entire city block, is composed of three distinct buildings initially conceived by renowned Italian architects Gio Ponti and Piero Portaluppi.
A core aspect of SOM's intervention was to enhance the overall interconnectedness of the site. They transformed the former enclosed layout into an accessible 'urban campus,' meticulously preserving its intrinsic architectural integrity. This involved converting a vast central parking area into a communal garden and introducing new pedestrian pathways and interior staircases. Kent Jackson, a design partner at the studio, highlighted their aim to strategically re-inhabit a mid-century icon, reinterpreting its campus typology from a secluded block to an open and green urban environment, thereby maintaining the essence of its 1960s architecture while promoting openness and transparency.
In a respectful nod to the original design, SOM implemented a strategy centered on material reclamation, retaining 70 percent of the existing structural elements and foundations. A particularly damaged building saw its red granite exterior replaced with a glass-fiber-reinforced concrete system that mirrored its initial color. Furthermore, the buildings were upgraded to meet current energy efficiency benchmarks, all while safeguarding their original proportions and geometric precision. Jackson elaborated on this circular approach, noting that by treating the existing complex as a material resource rather than a demolition site, they substantially reduced embodied carbon and preserved the original building's material legacy, achieving modern performance standards.
New glass-encased entryways now punctuate the buildings, fostering a sense of permeability and offering clear sightlines into the shared courtyard, which features newly planted seating areas. Internally, alterations to the floor plates allowed for the integration of impressive spiral staircases, enhancing connectivity between levels. Jackson pointed out that the main challenge was to reinstate the architectural clarity of the initial campus design, as internal links had previously deteriorated and the central courtyard had become impersonal. The refurbished complex also includes a conference center with a 200-seat auditorium, alongside lounges, breakout zones, and rooftop terraces that provide panoramic views of Milan.