E.C.A. Building for apartments, offices and shops (1960-1967), viale Brianza 23, via Mauro Macchi 70 e 72, Milano
with Arch. L. Caluzzi and Arch. E. Veronelli
Masterplan: Eng. Nicola Mascione
Contractor: Co.Ge.Co. (Compagnia Generale Costruzioni)
with Arch. L. Caluzzi and Arch. E. Veronelli
Masterplan: Eng. Nicola Mascione
Contractor: Co.Ge.Co. (Compagnia Generale Costruzioni)
At the beginning of the Sixties, the Ente Comunale di Assistenza di Milano (ECA, the Milan association for social care assistance), launches an invited competition to realise a new residential complex near Viale Brianza, in the area between via Macchi and via Venini. Nineteen contractors were invited to participate. The competition brief included the masterplan outlines, which had already been defined between the organiser and the Milan city council. Gigi Gho' takes part as designer together with the contractor Co.Ge.Co. (Compagnia Generale Costruzioni with head-office in via Meravigli), presenting a proposal on the 29th of November 1960. Despite the attendance of well-known, prestigious Milanese contractors and designers, Co.Ge.Co. wins the competition; the construction of the building begins in 1962 and lasts until 1967, with a few variations - designed by Gigi Gho’ - compared to the initial project proposal. The scheme is a block of nine storeys along the viale (a large avenue) and two lower perpendicular wings; the section on via Macchi steps back from the street line. At the rear, within the site, are located the communal garden and the ramp to the underground parking. The ground floor hosts single and double-height commercial units facing the street, offices, and the custodian apartment. The rest of the block is residential and its six cores each lead to two apartment per level - with the exception of the block along via Venini - facing both front and rear, with primary and secondary entrance from the lift core and the balcony on the courtyard side, respectively.
The fronts are covered by bicoloured litoceramica (originally designed with two shades of red), with base in Serizzo stone and architraves in bush-hammered concrete. The composition stands out for the variety of surface treatments, the construction rationality, and the quality and value of the materials, and is expressed through the juxtaposition of tall, narrow openings, balconies, bow-windows, overhangs, and loggias up to the inclined pitched roof which leaves room for wide terraces on the side of via Macchi.
The fronts are covered by bicoloured litoceramica (originally designed with two shades of red), with base in Serizzo stone and architraves in bush-hammered concrete. The composition stands out for the variety of surface treatments, the construction rationality, and the quality and value of the materials, and is expressed through the juxtaposition of tall, narrow openings, balconies, bow-windows, overhangs, and loggias up to the inclined pitched roof which leaves room for wide terraces on the side of via Macchi.
Bibliography about this work:
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.142-147
Jolanda Ventura (a cura di), Gigi Gho': progetti e architetture 1950-1995, [s.e.], 1997, pp.142-147
Design drawings and historical photo |
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