ASthought ASthought #34 project:
architect:
Offices in via Zumbini / Lorenzo Bini, binocle
ASthought #34 project:
architect:
Offices in via Zumbini / Lorenzo Bini, binocle
book editor:
Jelena Prokop
AsThought
Content
architecture from concept to built form Our main goal is to describe the design process, the architectural solutions and the detailing choices of a built work in a chronological order. The dream – that is also the ambition – is to tune at the best the structure of this on-line manual and to spread around its template in order to amplify the power of collecting and publishing in a such huge way that in a few years we could arrive at the largest open source and most browsed utility for architectural students not only in Europe.
Work facts
p. 7
Project description
p. 8
Commission
p. 10
Final proposal
p. 14
Models p. 26 series editors: Gennaro Postiglione Maddalena Scarzella
Building site
p. 34
Photo gallery exteriors
p. 42
research team in Interiors @ Politecnico di Milano ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Photo gallery interiors
p. 50
ASthought architecture from concept to built form
Photo gallery surroundings
p. 66
http://asthought.polimi-cooperation.org
Appendix p. 73
follow https://twitter.com/ASthought1 http://vimeo.com/asthought http://www.issuu.com/asthought
book editor: Jelena Prokop
All rights reserved © BINOCLE / Lorenzo Bini All drawings © BINOCLE / Lorenzo Bini All pictures © Authors this volume has no commercial purposes but only educational goals
Milan 2013
office presentation
p. 75
book editor presentation
p. 77
Work facts
Project:
Offices in via Zumbini
Adress:
Via Bonaventura Zumbini 29, 20143 Milano
Area:
1.350 m²
Volume:
-
Type:
Renovation
Planned:
2008
Built:
2011
Client:
Immobiliare del Nord S.p.a.4
Architect:
Binocle / Lorenzo Bini
Responsible partner:
Lorenzo Bini
Collaborator:
Gennaro Postiglione, Claudia Brunelli, Valentina Cocco,
Michela Fancello, Sandro Riscino
Structural engineer:
Atleier LC
Awards:
-
References:
Binocle
Project description:
offices-in-via zumbini - binocle
History of Commission:
Collaborator worked on few projects for with client in south of Italy. Client bought building in Milano, wanted to restore it and rent.
Project description:
The two blocks are organized around a common courtyard area. Most of Block A’s original structure has been preserved and allows each floor to have an open plan measuring 44 m long and 12 m wide. The long floor plates have been subdivided into five separate spaces, following the patterning of the structural bays. The bordering wall between the main interior space and the edge of the courtyard has been demolished to create a permeable elevation. Two wide “social” balconies provide ease of circulation among office spaces, and also the opportunity to enjoy the garden. “The garden is not confined to the role of ‘decoration’ of architecture, but rather becomes a central and functional entity.”
© Giovanna Silva 6
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Project description
In the Southern outskirts of Milano, on a 1.350 sqm plot, two separate buildings are organized around a common courtyard. The complex features 17 units of 100 and 150 sqm available for small practices or companies in search of a workplace to rent. Inside Block A, a dramatic new structure of 9 pentagonal trusses carries the weight of the new suspended mezzanines in a delicate manner. ”The structure of the roof is placed on a new concrete beam built on top of the existing outer walls, and its entire weight, as well as the one of the suspended mezzanines, is transferred to the perimetral pillars of the building and doesn’t overload the reinforced concrete beams that carry the floors at lower levels,” explained Bini. The second building, Block B, is a completely new entity, but much care was given to fuse the two buildings together.” As well as the spatial organization, the use of materials played an important role in this project. Through a process of research, choice and selection, the designers have tried to respond in a coherent way to what they perceived as relevant issues. The old and the new belong to a family, feature the same materials and present similar constructive solutions. This fact is also a consequence of the will to reveal and distinguish in a very clear way what was added and what was already there,” added Bini. Vegetation is a founding element in the project: it is not confined to the role of ‘decoration’ of architecture, but rather becomes a central and functional entity. The green structure is constituted by two great surfaces. The first, vertical one, will develop upward colonizing the 36 m wide and 13 m tall metallic mesh that protects the external balconies of Block A, while the second one will cover the 190 sqm flat roof of Block B.
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Commission
on-site photographers Iacopo Boccalari Francesca Pozzi Carla Vitali
existing buildings industrial structure from 30’s organized on 3 storeys which was preserved existing service facilities which are demolished
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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12
existing situation / ground floor
existing situation / second floor
existing situation / first floor
existing situation / section
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Final proposal
Two separate buildings are organized around a common courtyard: the bigger one – named Block A – is the result of the transformation of an industrial structure from the 30’s, while the smaller one – the Block B – it’s a totally new construction that exploit the usable surface gained after the demolition of some existing service facilities. The complex features 17 units of 100 and 150 sqm available for small practices or companies in search of a workplace to rent. To make the building adapt to its new function, each storey has been divided in 5 separate spaces along 4 of the 9 beams, with each new rooms composed by 2 bays. By demolishing most of the strip that contained a sequence of small rooms serving each floor, the wall bordering the main interior spaces of the building toward the courtyard has been completely released and transformed into a new, more permeable elevation.
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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ground floor plan
16
first floor plan
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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second floor plan
18
third floor plan
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elevation block B on courtyard
elevation block A on courtyard
20
section
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photomontages
22
photomontages
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24
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Model
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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28
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30
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Building site
block A under construction
on-site photographers Iacopo Boccalari Francesca Pozzi Carla Vitali
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
35
Client was quite though, at certain point he wanted to save money. Main contractor was company which made all steel work, facades. Difficulty was because client decided to hire three different contractors to save the money. It is usaully cheaper to hire one contractor for construction, other for electrition and other for heating and cooling. At the end is not cheaper because building process takes longer. For architect work is three times more, he becomes like contractor between block A demolition of facade
others.
block A old roof
36
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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block A f each storey has been divided in 5 separate spaces along 4 of the 9 beams, with each new rooms block A demolition of old roof
composed by 2 bays
new metal structure
block B under construction
The skeleton of the building is a
38
9 pentagonal trusses designed to
dense three-dimensional structure
carry all the weight of the new large
of fairly skinny IPE and HEA beams
suspended mezzanines
and pillars.
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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galvanized metal structure attached
40
to the existing building
block B under construction
block A ground floor
adjacent plot is still empty
ASthought
Photo gallery exteriors
images
block A Š Giovanna Silva
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Through a process of research, choice and selection, the designers have tried to respond in a coherent way to what they perceived as relevant issues. The different character of the two buildings suggested an homogeneous, rather than distinguished, use of materials. The old and the new belong to a family, feature the same materials and present similar constructive
main entrance
solutions. Economical solutions, light and easily mountable materials with high performances have been favored. The external facades of Block A have been protected with a new 10 cm thick insulation and then plastered, while the internal elevation toward the courtyard in a dialogue with Block B is cladded with prefab silver sandwich panels. The external metal structure (beams, columns, grids, frames and banisters) have been galvanized and mounted without any welding on site. Since the pillars supporting Block B have been insulated and cladded with black painted metallic carters, the covered parking area appears almost as an interior space.
44
courtyard
courtyard
Š Jelena Prokop
Š Giovanna Silva
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Š Giovanna Silva 46
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Vegetation is a founding element in the project: it is not confined to the role of ‘decoration’ of architecture, but rather becomes a central and functional entity. The green structure is constituted by two great surfaces. The first, vertical one, will develop upward colonizing the 36 m wide block A
and 13 m tall metallic mesh that
© Jelena Prokop
protects the external balconies of Block A, while the second one will cover the 190 sqm flat roof of Block B. The 12 Ampelopsis quinquefolia that form the living screen of Block A will change three times every year: they will proliferate in spring and summer providing shade and cooling the balconies and the offices, they will lose their leaves i the winter to let the sun penetrate and warm up the interior spaces. The transition from one state to the other will be announced every autumn by the deep red color of the leaves.
Steel construction and staircases people use for socialising, it works, people working in different companies see each other.
block B © Giovanna Silva
48
© Giovanna Silva
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Photo gallery interiors
photographs took before users moved in Š Giovani Silva
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Š Giovani Silva 52
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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The offices have been designed for unknown users. For this reason materials, colors and finishings contributes to define neutral environments that remain available for further transformations and customizations. The offices, the external balconies and the courtyard are characterized by a very reduced boxes with toilets and small kitcen
palette of materials. The interior surfaces of the walls and the ceilings are painted white, while the metallic structural elements crossing the interior space of the offices are all black. The choice of the ‘black and white’ underlines two distinguished tectonics: if white is associated with to the continuous elements (the gypsum board panels and the masonry walls), black is the color assigned to the discontinuous ones (the beams, the columns, the trusses and the window frames). This high-res contrast give an essential, graphic and direct atmosphere to the interiors. The horizontal surfaces, the oak wooden floor featured in most of the units as well as the concrete of ground floor, are the only material presence. The interiors of the toilets and the kitchens, conceived as
54
entrance from galvinazed metal
independent boxes, have been
structure
covered with a fiberglass wallpaper,
Š Giovani Silva
sealed up and painted grey.
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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block A mezzanines
ground floor concrete
ventilation is visible in ineterior
first floor oak wood
Units are designed to be devided if it is needed, there are placed 5 heating
56
block A mezzanines
and cooling machines in the ceiling
Š Giovani Silva
in each unit.
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Š Ornaghi & Prestinari Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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photographs took after users moved in Š Ornaghi & Prestinari
Users are smaller firms.For example
60
Client was developer, they bought
architect (old drawing table, lot of
the building, restored it and they are
magazines), call centre (diveded
renting single units to different users.
space in small boxes), company
Units didn’t have furniture as they
which does all kind of gadets for
were designated for unknown users.
the technology, photographer with
Architect designs background for
studio and set for shoting covers,
something that is going to come.
webdesigner...
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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photographs took after users moved in Š Ornaghi & Prestinari
photogrphs took after users moved in Š Ornaghi & Prestinari
62
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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For architects point of view some of offices are realy ugly. But he likes the experince to make design without knowing the users and then see how they used the space. Interpretation
photographs took after users
they made of space is somehow
moved in
unpredictable.
Š Ornaghi & Prestinari
64
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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Photo gallery surroundings
photographs of surroundings Š Jelena Prokop
view from via Venosta
Building is situated in southern outskirts of Milano, at the crossing between Via Venosta and Via Zumbini.
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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church at beginning of via Zumbini
crossing of via Zumbini and via Venosta
area used to be industrial, most of old
70
buildings are renovated
view from via Zumbini
park at beginning of via Zumbini
residential buildings across
ASthought
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
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appendix
72
ASthought
office presentation
Binocle\Bin�o*cle\, noun [F. binocle; L. bini two at a time + oculus eye.] (Opt.) A dioptric telescope, fitted with two tubes joining, so as to enable a person to view an object with both eyes at once; a double-barreled field glass or an opera glass.
Lorenzo Bini was born in Milan, Italy in 1971. Educated at the Politecnico di Milano and at the SHKS of Oslo, he graduated in architecture in 1998 and worked for different practices in Milan. In 2000 he moved to The Netherlands to work as a senior architect for West8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture. In 2003 he returned to Milan and co-founded studiometrico, an architecture practice that he has been directing until 2011, when the office has ceased business. Beside his professional activity, Lorenzo has been lecturing in various European schools and he’s currently teaching architecture at the Politecnico di Milano.
book editor presentation
Jelena Prokop 6.4.1988. Zagreb, Croatia Student of last year at Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb. Participated in erasmus exchange program at Politecnico di Milano. Worked in architectural offices in Vienna and Zagreb as intern.
“The imagination is the vehicle of sensibility. Transported by the imagination, we attain life, life itself, which is absolute art.�
Offices in via Zumbini - Lorenzo Bini, Binocle
Yves Klein
77
Work facts
Project:
Offices in via Zumbini
Address:
Via Bonaventura Zumbini 29, 20143 Milano
Area:
1.350 m²
Volume: Type:
Renovation
Planned:
2008
Built:
2011
Client:
Immobiliare del Nord S.p.a.4
Architect:
Lorenzo Bini / binocle
Responsible partner:
Lorenzo Bini
Collaborator: Gennaro Postiglione, Claudia Brunelli, Valentina Cocco, Michela Fancello, Sandro Riscino Structural engineer:
Atleier LC
Awards:
-
References: Binocle Project description:
offices-in-via zumbini - binocle
History of Commission:
Collaborator worked on few projects for with client in south of Italy. Client bought building in
Milano, wanted to restore it and rent.
Main architectural ideas:
The two blocks are organized around a common courtyard area. Most of Block A’s original
structure has been preserved and allows each floor to have an open plan measuring 44 m long
and 2m wide.