A roof terrace in Milan

Pedrali furnishings selected for Urban Cube, the new Milan-based headquarters of Gruppo 24 Ore

In the heart of the Bicocca District, Urban Cube is the new Milan-based headquarters of Gruppo 24 Ore.

A 15.500 sqm building resulting from a redevelopment project which stands for an architectural symbol of urban regeneration in a hi-tech and green key, in line with today's requirements for energy saving and low environmental impact.

This project was developed by Milan-based studio Park Associati on behalf of AXA Investment Managers Real Assets, while the interior design was conceived by DEGW | Lombardini22.

This renovation transformed the building from a grey and closed monolith to a transparent, fluid and flexible space. The compact volume of the original building was broken down to give way to a lighter, more transparent structure. The glass façade is enlivened by thin metal half pilasters, alternating transparent and screen-printed sections. It is iridescent and changes with the light: soft and cold at dawn, warm and rosy at sunset. The surface homogeneity is disrupted by double-height terraces carved into the façade that become an open-air extension of the office. The quality of the spaces and their organisation has been improved, maximising well-being in the workplace with bright and flexible interiors. From the offices you can enjoy natural light and a breathtaking view of the city.

On the ground floor, besides the hall, there are a bar for tenants, meeting rooms and a large area dedicated to smart working. The office floors are characterised by great layout flexibility and can be adapted to open-space plans.

Heart of the building is the rooftop terrace on the tenth floor, designed to host exclusive events and open-air meetings. Here we find Tribeca collection by Pedrali, which fits into this suspended space between heaven and earth, sheltered by a cantilever roof, reminiscent of a hanging garden where the colours of materials and plants play with the light. Designed by CMP Design, Tribeca is a modern reinterpretation of classic Sixties patio chairs made from steel and woven material. A true icon, revisited with new materials: a steel frame, combined with the elasticity of a profile in vertically-woven plastic material that is remarkably durable, easy to clean and colourful. Handcrafted with the highest attention to detail, this chair is incredibly soft and comfortable. The cording is arranged to give a fresh and dynamic sense of rhythm and openness.

Tribeca chairs, armchairs and sofas are paired with the elegant silhouette and minimal design of Elliot tables by Patrick Jouin. Elliot has a strong identity that combines soft lines with sinuous natural forms. The shape of the column, which transforms into an airy base, expresses continuity and attention to detail, while the table's sophisticated architectural design conveys a striking sense of harmony and solidity, making it light and functional. The three or four-lobed column in extruded aluminium narrows down and splits open to form three or four feet in die-cast aluminium, which elegantly sit on the floor.