CityWave, the new building designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group for Generali S.p.A., is taking shape in the heart of Milan and is expected to be completed by 2026, just in time for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. As the final piece in the redevelopment of the former Trade Fair area, the complex marks a step forward for the CityLife district, embodying sustainable architecture and urban innovation.
Designed as a new public space for the city, CityWave will include offices, retail areas, restaurants, and a rooftop with a bar and swimming pool, covering a total surface area of 60,000 sqm. The project is fully integrated into the urban fabric and aims to become a virtuous model of regeneration—balancing accessibility, services, and well-being for users and citizens alike.
Its distinctive architectural feature is the horizontal layout, composed of two buildings connected by a large public plaza covered by a 140-meter-long timber canopy, entirely clad with photovoltaic panels. A modern reinterpretation of Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this space was conceived to be both open and protected, encouraging public life and connection with the surrounding city.
CityWave is set to become a benchmark for sustainable urban architecture. The solar panels installed on the canopy—covering 11,000 sqm—will generate around 1,200 MWh per year, meeting 45% of the building’s energy needs and cutting annual CO₂ emissions by over 500 tons. The project also includes advanced systems for groundwater reuse and rainwater harvesting.
CityWave is the only building in Italy to have achieved three international sustainability certifications at the highest level: WiredScore Platinum for digital connectivity; WELL v2 Core Platinum (pre-certified) for user well-being; and LEED Core-Shell v4 Platinum (pre-certified) for energy and environmental performance. Manens provided MEP engineering and sustainability consultancy, managing the whole certification process and contributing to these achievements with an integrated, multidisciplinary approach.
Read also:
https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/citywave-torre-sdraiata-pronta-entro-2026-AHKxLSE
Watch the video of the construction site:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7317564226015748096
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Manens was responsible for the building services design and for construction management, coordinating all operational phases with the multidisciplinary team.
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