lush vertical gardens and sculptural stairs meld into MAD architects' mobility hub in milan

MAD Unveils Dynamic Design for Mobility & Logistic hub in Milan

MAD Architects has unveiled renderings of a monumental gateway complex located along the western edge of the Milano Innovation District (MIND), a newly constructed neighborhood northwest of central Milan, Italy, that combines cutting-edge scientific research and educational, commercial, and recreational facilities.

Named the MoLo (short for Mobility and Logistic hub), the project is 28.5 meters high, 170 meters long and 50 meters wide. Together with Andrea Nonni, Open Project, and Progeca, the Beijing-based studio has developed a dynamic design for a welcoming entrance and education space for issues related to mobility. Visitors to MoLo can drop off their cars to explore the 68,700 sqm premises on foot and experience cutting-edge mobility technologies firsthand.

MAD’s design incorporates a public interchange tunnel crowned by a sculptural set of polished metal staircases

all images courtesy of MAD Architects

combining architecture & nature

The MoLo includes seven levels above grounds well as one underground,  comprising 3,000 sqm of commercial space, along with offices, labs, and a supermarket. What’s more, the project features an eye-catching five-story parking tower that is visible from almost every angle. This parking building, which has a capacity for 1,500 cars, was intended to serve as a gateway for travelers coming from the Rho municipality and other important highways. Since the complex is situated on the border between two municipalities, the complex design aims to dissolve that separation through a public interchange tunnel crowned by a sculptural set of polished metal staircases.

The MoLo is a project by MAD Architects (find more here) that combines architecture and nature, like many of their other works. For instance, the main façade will be covered in lush landscaping that will both beautify the area and absorb carbon emissions. The structure can aesthetically meld into its surroundings’ lush vegetation by utilizing vertical planting as a design element. Additionally, there is an open gallery next to the public interchange tunnel that spans the ground floor diagonally down the middle of the structure in an effort to meld the interior and outdoor spaces while also physically connecting the MoLo to the nearby Rho-Arese park. A huge sculpture that resembles a cloud that undulates in the direction of pedestrian flow marks the gallery’s ceiling.

the main façade will be covered in lush landscaping that will both beautify the area and absorb carbon emissions

prioritizing sustainability and technological innovation

In keeping with the new district’s dedication to sustainability and 21st-century technological innovations, the MoLo will be assembled using the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) method, a standard for ensuring a streamlined and effective construction process that minimizes material waste and labor hours. The complex will also be built in accordance with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program. Its upper surfaces will house a photovoltaic field of panels totaling more than 8,000 sqm, which will serve as a rich source of renewable energy for the neighborhood.

Altogether, the MoLo exemplifies the future of transportation systems in urban areas around the world by fusing cutting-edge technology, creative function, and attractive form. Construction is anticipated to start in September 2022.

a huge sculpture that resembles a cloud that undulates in the direction of pedestrian flow marks the gallery’s ceiling

project info: 

name: MoLo (Mobility and Logistic hub)
location: Milan, Italy,

site area: 9,700sqm
building area: 68,700sqm
building height: 28.5 meters

architectural designer: MAD Architects
project leader and project manager: Architetto Andrea Nonni
executive architecture, engineering, coordination, and LEED: Open Project srl
structural and MEP engineering, acoustics, LEED: Progeca srl

principal partners in charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
associate partners in charge: Andrea d’Antrassi
design team: Romina Carpentieri , Alessandro Fisalli, Paolo Pirri, Francesco Nardacci, Aldo Schirripa Spagnolo, Francesco Pasta, Anna Spaggiari, Elena Bellocchio