Bayer Headquarters (already Co-Fa) (1955-1957, 1967, 1976), viale Certosa 130 (già 126-130), Milano
Structural Engineer: Eng. Angilella
Service Engineer: Studio Eng. Bartolini
Structural Engineer: Eng. Angilella
Service Engineer: Studio Eng. Bartolini
“A project born from a careful analysis of the arrangement of space in relation to its function,
a key requirement for the German company holding the competition”
(Gio Ponti)
a key requirement for the German company holding the competition”
(Gio Ponti)
In the mid-1950s, the German pharmaceutical company Bayer launched a design competition to promote the construction of a new office in Milan, on viale Certosa. Gho' takes part with a project proposal - drawn in three options - and wins the competition thanks to his proposal matching the functional requirements stated by the competition particularly well. Built between 1955 and 1957, with a few modifications from the initial design, the scheme has been extended and modified multiple times by Gho' during the following decades. Due to its importance, this appointment represents a fundamental step in the professional career of the Milanese architect. Gho' has arranged the project in two parallel blocks built on the edge of the site plot to create a large courtyard. A long office block is located along via Certosa and it is defined by a series of vertical elements covered in marble that frame the aluminium pivoting windows; on the short sides of the building, a vertical central cut defines the two massive facade sections in “ceppo”stone and reveals the internal functions arranged along a central corridor.
The entrance, previously located at street number 126 and subsequently moved at 130, features some elegant details such as the double flight staircase overhanged to a central sculptural wall shaped as a lozenge, or the decorative surfaces with abstract motifs inspired to Mondrian - today no longer existing - that Gho' was already experimenting in the apartment block in via Legnano. A two-storey building is located on the short side of the site - turning the corner with a triangular profile - and hosts the canteen for the employees; this is cleverly designed, with a “bridge” structure to allow vehicle access to the courtyard. An additional block that functions as a depot and garage faces via Argenta on the opposite side, parallel to viale Certosa, whereas a building hosting the storage is located within the courtyard - today completely redeveloped - where the espressive overhanged roof allowed to shelter the loading and unloading activities.
In 1967 Gho' will be appointed from the client to extend the office block of two additional floors, by changing the layout in some areas, and in 1976 to extend the volume of the internal warehouses. Between 1996 and 1998, based on a project designed by Studio Spadolini & Associati, a further modification was carried out to upgrade the building by changing the access routes.
The entrance, previously located at street number 126 and subsequently moved at 130, features some elegant details such as the double flight staircase overhanged to a central sculptural wall shaped as a lozenge, or the decorative surfaces with abstract motifs inspired to Mondrian - today no longer existing - that Gho' was already experimenting in the apartment block in via Legnano. A two-storey building is located on the short side of the site - turning the corner with a triangular profile - and hosts the canteen for the employees; this is cleverly designed, with a “bridge” structure to allow vehicle access to the courtyard. An additional block that functions as a depot and garage faces via Argenta on the opposite side, parallel to viale Certosa, whereas a building hosting the storage is located within the courtyard - today completely redeveloped - where the espressive overhanged roof allowed to shelter the loading and unloading activities.
In 1967 Gho' will be appointed from the client to extend the office block of two additional floors, by changing the layout in some areas, and in 1976 to extend the volume of the internal warehouses. Between 1996 and 1998, based on a project designed by Studio Spadolini & Associati, a further modification was carried out to upgrade the building by changing the access routes.
Bibliography about this work:
“Domus” n.348, 1958
AA.VV., Milano oggi / Milan today, Edizioni Milano Moderna, Milano 1957, p.86
Roberto Aloi, Nuove architetture a Milano, Hoepli, Milano 1959, pp.229-234
Leonida Almagioni, Uno stabile per uffici in “L'ingegnere Libero Professionista”, n.10, 1964, pp.477-483
Agnoldomenico Pica (a cura di), Architettura moderna in Milano, Ariminum, Milano 1964
Quaderni di Vitrum “Gli ingressi”, n.6, 1964
“User Werk”, n.2, 1973
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.38-49
“Domus” n.348, 1958
AA.VV., Milano oggi / Milan today, Edizioni Milano Moderna, Milano 1957, p.86
Roberto Aloi, Nuove architetture a Milano, Hoepli, Milano 1959, pp.229-234
Leonida Almagioni, Uno stabile per uffici in “L'ingegnere Libero Professionista”, n.10, 1964, pp.477-483
Agnoldomenico Pica (a cura di), Architettura moderna in Milano, Ariminum, Milano 1964
Quaderni di Vitrum “Gli ingressi”, n.6, 1964
“User Werk”, n.2, 1973
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.38-49
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