Mario Cucinella wins MIPIM Award for 3M Italy Headquarters in Pioltello

Architect Mario Cucinella won in 2009 MIPIM AWARD for the CSET’s (Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies) project realized in Ningbo (China). 3M Headquarters building is a 10,300 square metre headquarters office building for the company 3M located on the outskirts of Milan in the Pioltello district. The building is the first to be built on the site as part of a masterplan completed by MCA in 2005. A linear building, which is 105 metre long and 21 metre wide, features a terraced form stepping down from five to two storeys. The form and orientation of the building allow optimal environmental control. The north, east and west facades have specially designed glazing and shading systems. The south face of the building steps create a series of terraces that provides shaded outdoor space for the office workers. The terraces act as an environmental buffer space that protects the building from climate extremes in both summer and winter. Environmental analysis of the building in context led to the choice of an active solution for the roof and facades. Photovoltaics are integrated into the design and produce energy while giving a shimmering technological aesthetic to the building. Born in Italy in 1960, Mario studied architecture at the University of Genoa graduating in 1987. He founded MCA in Paris in 1992 and Mario Cucinella Architects Srl. in Bologna in 1999. He was honoured with the 'Energy Performance + Architecture Award' in 2006 (Paris), with the 2Outstanding Architect"award by the the World Renewable Energy Congress in 2004 and in 1999 (Denver) and he also received the "Forderüngs Prize"for Architecture by the Akademie der Künste of Berlin.