Contemporary Architecture in Milan and Rome

Porta Nuova, Milan

The Porta Nuova district in Milan, abandoned for 50 years, is now one of the most interesting places in Europe for contemporary architecture. The old business district has received new service buildings, luxury residential buildings and commercial and cultural spaces over a total area of about 350,000 square metres.

The project, developed by Hines, is divided into three areas (Garibaldi, Varesine and Isola) with a large central park called "The Tree Library".

The Vertical Forest of Milan by Boeri

Among the innovative buildings, we can mention the "Vertical Forest", entirely inspired by sustainability and biodiversity rather than by the technological aspects of most contemporary buildings. The project consists of two residential towers on which 900 trees grow. The choice of vegetation depends on the compass direction and the layout. Evergreen trees alternate with deciduous trees, changing the building's appearance with the seasons. The building was awarded the prestigious International Highrise Award in 2014.

The Vertical Forest is a spectacular skyscraper designed by the Italian architect Stefano Boeri, who aims to completely redefine the interaction between man and nature in an urban context. This magnificent building is the perfect answer to the contradictory needs of the modern city dweller.

On the one hand, there is the urgent need to be at the centre of business and culture; on the other, there is a constant yearning for a rural dimension: a new concept for a more balanced way of life, a slower and healthier pace designed to promote biodiversity.

The two towers that make up this architectural complex are literally covered with hanging gardens, with over 2,000 plants and shrubs that create their own microclimate, absorbing carbon dioxide and keeping the atmosphere inside and around the buildings at healthy temperature and humidity levels. It is one of the best and most widely known examples of contemporary architecture in Italy and is said to have set a new standard in combining style, beauty and sustainability.

MAXXI Museum by Zaha Hadid, Rome

A new cultural awareness is slowly transforming Rome from a purely historic city into an active centre of contemporary architecture as well. You can make a unique comparison between architecture from different historical periods and contemporary design by famous architects like Massimiliano Fuksas, Renzo Piano, Richard Meier, Zaha Hadid, Odile Decq, Santiago Calatrava and King & Roselli.

It is impossible to leave Rome without experiencing Zaha Hadid's MAXXI.

The museum, considered one of the largest architectural works in the Eternal City, explores converging lines that intersect and separate to create both outdoor and indoor spaces. Completed after 10 years as the first national museum of contemporary art in Italy, the project features multiple points of view and a fluidity that challenges Rome's "static" identity and classical heritage. A must-see!

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