Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti have announced plans to overhaul the 1950s Pirellino office skyscraper in Milan, Italy, and build a plant-lined timber tower beside it.
The scheme, named Pirelli 39, will see the tapered skyscraper built by Gio Ponti and Pier Luigi Nervi in 1958 brought to modern-day standards and linked to a new green-walled tower via a multi-storey glass bridge.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti's proposal follows the abandonment of Pirellino in 2015, after it was declared unsuitable for use due to poor environmental performance and seismic protection.
The scheme will save the tower from demolition and is also hoped to contribute to the revival and sustainable growth of the surrounding area. Milan's Pirellino skyscraper will be modernised and linked to a plant-lined timber tower
"As much of our work focuses on the future of cities, the Pirelli 39 project presents a great opportunity to develop a new model of mixed-use development and sustainable urban growth," said Elizabeth Diller, partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
"The project combines the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings with environmentally responsible new construction, and a vibrant 'living' cultural destination devoted to the art and science of plants," she said.
"In such a difficult period, this project relaunches the vision of a forward-looking Milan and bravely faces the great challenges of the climate crisis," added Ste...