Research lab and admin building in Milan

Politecnica ingegneria e architettura – Italy

Research lab and admin building in Milan

Building use

Other

Country/Region

Italy

Overview

The building serves as the new research lab for the molecular research of the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Mangiagalli in Milan, one of the main hospitals in Milan. The building architecture is organized on the meeting point of two different states of matter: the solid and liquid states, represented by the solid stone cladding on one side and the translucid glass surfaces on the other.

Basic information (construction date, number of stories, gross floor area, adopted design code, engineer(s), Contractor(s), etc.)

Construction date: 2008-2013
Number of stories: 5
Gross floor area: 7690m2
Adopted design code: Eurocode
Engineer(s): Politecnica ingegneria e architettura, T&T
Contractor(s): Ics Grandi Lavori spa

Issue and/or innovation

The main goal of the structural and architectural design was to improve the flexibility of the space, to allow for future changes and easy transition of the various levels from an office space use to a lab use and viceversa. This also regards the space available for the large MEP installations required by the chemical and medical labs of the building and their constant maintenance and updates/upgrades that required unobstructed spaces between the hanging ceiling and the structural members.

Reason for composite solution

Composite beams and floors slabs have been used to allow for the required level of flexibility and for cost saving opportunities. The composite solution offers users the flexibility of space, thanks to the high bearing capacity and the low thickness of the horizontal structural members.

Specific solution/technical details

The structure is provided by a steel grid with 660x920cm of span and a composite slab of 12cm of thickness, poured on a corrugated steel sheet. Composite beams formed by IPE 300 and IPE 450 on the longer span form the horizontal system.

Impact or effectiveness

The extensive use of steel allowed for a fast construction schedule and a reduced amount of assembling activity happening on site, thanks to the operation carried out at the workshop. The use of steel for the main frame allowed small profiles and increased the availability of usable floor area.