ART MUSEUM
FONDAZIONE LUIGI ROVATI

CLIENT

Fondazione Rovati (per FIDIM S.r.l.)

ARCHITECTURE

Mario Cucinella Architect

LOCATION

Milan

SECTOR

Cultural Centers and Museums

SURFACE

42.260 sqm

YEAR

2015-2022

SERVICE

    • MEP Design (Concept, Preliminary, Detailed)
    • Construction Management
    • Acoustics
    • LEED® Consulting
  • In the heart of Milan, a historic building has been rediveloped to house the Luigi Rovati Foundation’s Etruscan Art Museum. This project balances heritage preservation with modern innovation, restoring the original structure while creating underground spaces that protect the historic garden and house state-of-the-art building systems.

    Opened in 2022, the museum features high environmental sustainability standards. Manens developed the MEP design to reduce energy and water consumption, enhance indoor comfort, and maintain precise temperature and humidity levels for artwork conservation. The building has earned LEED® Gold certification through an integrated design approach focused on energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and indoor environmental quality.

    LEED Gold®

    LEED® V4 New Construction & Major Renovation

    Building Envelope Renovation The renovation improved the building’s thermal performance with enhanced wall insulation, high-efficiency windows, and automated solar shading. Expansive glass surfaces on the ground floor and in the third-floor restaurant provide abundant natural light, enriching the visitor experience.

    Zero Operational Carbon Emissions The climate control system relies on electric heat pumps with groundwater heat exchange (GWHP), leveraging Milan’s geothermal resources to eliminate local greenhouse gas emissions. A rooftop photovoltaic system supplies renewable energy, while any additional electricity used is sourced entirely from renewables, making the building operationally carbon neutral.

    Smart Building The Building Energy Management System (BEMS) monitors and optimizes energy and water consumption through adaptive technologies. High-efficiency heat pumps with heat recovery, inverter-controlled distribution systems, and automation technologies ensure peak performance. LED lighting with automatic dimming further enhances energy efficiency.

    Indoor Environmental Quality The museum prioritizes indoor air quality, using highly filtered fresh air that meets the highest LEED standards. Carbon filters remove particulates and pollutants, while low-VOC materials—such as paints, adhesives, and flooring—further improve air quality.

    Water Conservation The building is equipped with water-efficient systems and a rainwater collection tank, which supplies water for restrooms and garden irrigation. Groundwater, after being used for heat exchange in the heat pumps, further supports the system, reducing potable water consumption by 72%.

    Sustainable Materials The construction process prioritized regionally sourced and high-recycled-content materials, minimizing environmental impact from production and transportation. Additionally, 91% of construction waste was recycled, further enhancing the project’s sustainability.

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