The new 10,300m2 headquarters office building for the company 3M located on the outskirts of Milan in the Pioltello district under construction and nearing completion.

The building is the first to be built on the site as part of a masterplan completed by MC A in 2005. A linear building, 105m long and 21m wide, it has a terraced form stepping down from five to two storeys.

3M Building underconstruction January 2010

PROJECT

The form and orientation of the building allow optimal environmental control. The north, east and west facades have specially designed glazing and shading systems. The south face of the building steps creating a series of terraces that provide shaded outdoor space for the office workers. The terraces act as an environmental buffer space that protecting the building from climate extremes in both summer and winter.

Facade drawings and facade under construction January 2010

Site location, terrace rendering and terrace under construction January 2010

Environmental analysis of the building in context led to the choice of an active solution for the roof and facades. Photovoltaics are integrated into the design and produce energy while giving a shimmering technological aesthetic to the building.

The 3M headquarters building has won the 2009 US Award in Architecture.