Pilots Tower of Genoa awarded by THE PLAN

The Pilots Tower of Genoa has received the 2025 The Plan Award in the Transport category.
The project was developed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop with the collaboration of BUROMILAN, GAe Engineering and Manens S.p.A., responsible for MEP design, building physics simulations and natural ventilation strategies.

The new tower responds to an event that deeply marked the city: the collapse of the previous structure in 2013, following the impact of the Jolly Nero cargo ship, which caused the death of nine people. Since then, rebuilding Torre Piloti has been not only a functional necessity but also an act of reconstruction and remembrance. The design team chose to donate the project to the City of Genoa, underlining its symbolic significance alongside its operational purpose.

Located in the waterfront area of the Port of Genoa, the new tower houses the maritime traffic control functions within a vertical structure of approximately 1,200 m². Its distinctive silhouette recalls a sentinel looking toward the horizon, with an upper volume that shelters the control cabin. The structure is lightweight and open, made of high-strength steel and integrated with advanced systems to ensure stability and safety.

The control cabin is positioned 65 metres above sea level, rising to 95 metres when including antennas and radar equipment required for port operations. The tower was designed with a strong focus on sustainability and minimal impact on the surrounding port activities, supported by the use of prefabricated components transported by sea. Additional features include real-time monitoring systems for predictive maintenance, extending the structure’s life, as well as compensatory interventions such as photovoltaic panels that ensure the tower’s energy independence.

We are proud to have contributed to this project, a symbol of renewal and a new architectural landmark for the city and the entire Port of Genoa.

Learn more on THEPLAN.IT

Photo credits: Riccardo Sala