Architect(s): BBPR Group
Address: Piazza Velasca, 3/5, MILAN, Italy
Latitude/Longitude: 45.459869,9.190640
Italian modern architecture is the context in which Velasca Tower belongs to. It is also while still part of the Milanese context in which it was born, including the Milan cathedral and the Sforzesco Castle. The tower has a height of approximately 100 metres and a peculiar and characteristic shape. It looks like a “mushroom”. It is a member of the city skyline, along with domes, buildings and other towers. The structure of the tower is a reminder of the Lombard tradition, made of medieval fortresses and towers, each having a massive profile.
The lower parts used to be more narrow in such fortresses, while wooden boards or stone beams were the elements fron which the higher parts propped up. As a consequence, a result of a modern interpretation of the typical Italian medieval castle is the shape of this building. At the same time, the functional needs of space were satisfied in this building from BBPR. These were narrower surfaces on the ground, wider and more spacious ones on the top floors. Specific volumes, according to the buildings’ purpose, were imposed by the town planning laws. In this tower, the latter were the mixed functions of residential and commercial use.
