Pillow-Like Modules Stacked Vertically in ALLIANZ Tower Milan

Unlike other big cities in the world, such as New York City or London, Milan does not have many skyscrapers. Therefore, ALLIANZ Tower by Andrea Maffei and Arata Isozaki, one of the tallest buildings in the city, looks towering in the middle of the other low-rise buildings.

The towering ALLIANZ Tower (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

The 209.2 m high building (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

Interestingly, the thin-looking building was designed with a modular system that can be repeated without limit, with the concept of infinity which was intentionally similar to Constantin Brancusi’s Endless Column. Each module consists of six office floors measuring 24 x 61.5 m covered by a facade of triple glass unit panels that curve outwards.

Versatile space inside the modules (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

A module consists of six floors

Overall, eight modules stacked like pillows arranged vertically are 209.2 m high. In every four modules, or equal to 24 floors, two reinforced concrete beams are connected by a steel belt frame. Apart from being a structural element, the beams provide rhythm to the building facade pattern.

Thin-looking building (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

The interior (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

The core of the building is positioned at both ends so that the space created inside can be versatile. The strength of the building structure is guaranteed by 62 concrete columns embedded approximately 30 m into the ground. In addition, the building is supported by four external steel supports on both sides of the long surface, two on each side. These golden-colored steel buttresses are anchored to the basement brace on the northwest and the support structure on the southeast side. Such a system is claimed to be strong enough to withstand earthquake forces, with only the top part may experience shaking.

The golden buttresses (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

The anchor (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)

Steel support structure (cr: Alessandra Chemollo)