In 2000 Maciachini area, in the north of Milan, is one of the hottest spot of the post-industrial renovation of the city. In less than a decade the innovative Maciachiachini Center is completed where the Carlo Erba factory stood abandoned. The Complex brings a radical change to the neighbourhood located between the radial roads of Via Imbonati and Via Crespi.
The close dialogue and cooperation between public and private actors allows a full completion in short times and with a selection of designs of the highest quality. As Simona Galateo puts it, “The Maciachini project is an example of excellence among redevelopment programmes involving abandoned areas in the city”. “Right from its inception, it has been the subject of continuous evaluations, changes and adjustments, an evolving process thanks to the collaboration, listening, discussion and sharing amongst the players participating in the project: the private clients, the developer, the designers and members of public administration.”
The masterplan undergoes different stages of development. It first centres around preserving part of Carlo Erba existing buildings and build new multi tenant offices designed by Kconsult. In the second phase Luca Molinari supports Europa Risorse to focus on the masterplan urban implications and to open it to a more direct relation with the neighbourhood and the city by adding an open central green space and a new vehicular and pedestrian road between Via Imbonati and Via Crespi eventually allowing a bigger permeability of the area. Zurich Insurance offices, designed by Alessandro Scandurra get to their almost final shape. The third masterplan provides the agreement with the Municipality of Milan and the Virgin Active fitness club and Europa Risorse new Headquarters by Italo Rota. The fourthand last design includes a few changes on the Food Park by Paolo Pasquini and the three buildings designed by Sauerbruch Hutton and the final design of all projects included within the Complex.