Bocconi University is a prestigious university in Milan, ranking highly at an international level for Social Science and Management. Here’s what you need to know about their newest campus, known as SANAA.
An innovative architectural project
Designed by two Japanese architects, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa ‒ from Tokyo’s SANAA architectural firm ‒ Bocconi University’s new campus was officially inaugurated in 2019.
It comprises six university buildings characterised by sinuous, soft and rounded lines, without any harsh angles. Four of these buildings house SDA Bocconi School of Management, one is a student residence and the last is a multi-purpose sports centre (open to the public) which includes a splendid Olympic-size swimming pool, a fitness centre, a basketball court and a running track.
One of the key ideas underlying the SANAA campus (named after the architect firm that designed it) is the “continuity” between indoor and outdoor spaces. The façades of the buildings are in fact light, transparent and almost ethereal, creating a feeling of openness towards the surrounding park.
In defining the project, SANAA architectural firm drew on the typical elements of Milan’s urban planning tradition (streets, blocks, gardens, courtyards), integrating the university with the park through a series of courtyards.
Whilst the buildings overlook the city and the park through their external perimeters, they form a system of courtyards through their inner ones.
The well-kept park surrounding the six buildings is crossed by porticoed walkways.
Environmental sustainability
Not only is the SANAA campus a good example of innovative architectural solutions, it’s also a paradigm of environmental sustainability.
All building roofs are equipped with high-efficiency photovoltaic panels. Energy savings are guaranteed by heat pumps and refrigeration units to balance the heating requirements of the various buildings, and by an advanced lighting management system.
They’re also guaranteed by the fact that each building is provided with an energy-efficient encasing system (a first layer in anodized aluminum mesh followed by a second layer in glass and thermal break aluminum).
The result of these solutions? Annual energy self-sufficiency.
Looking for a great restaurant in the neighbourhood? Check these ones out.
Bocconi University SANAA campus
Via Sarfatti, Milan
This post was all about the newest Bocconi University campus, designed by SANAA architectural firm.
*Photos by Paolo Tonato