Inspired green buildings

Italy’s most dynamic city has become a showcase for dramatic sustainable building – Knauf Insulation is playing an exciting role in this Italian renaissance.

Milan is the Italian capital of sustainable building excellence with the country's most exciting developments transforming the city’s skyline.
Among these projects are the 40,000m² Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) towers, featuring 800 trees and 20,000 plants, as well as the dramatic curve of the 170 metre-high Libeskind Tower.

Knauf Insulation solutions were chosen for both of these high-profile buildings.

In the towers of Bosco Verticale a total of 10,000m² of our Rock Mineral Wool DP6 (NaturBoard Timber) slabs were installed while in Libeskind Tower, 1,000m² of our Rock Mineral Wool NaturBoard Timber with ECOSE Technology® slabs were chosen for the building’s awe inspiring façade. Libeskind Tower is under certification as it is still being built — but a minimum target is LEED NC GOLD — while the stunning Bosco Verticale has been certified LEED NC GOLD.

Francesco Cavicchioli, our Public Affairs and Technical Marketing Manager in Italy, says: “The city has always been seen as the country’s capital of commerce, design and fashion, now it is famous for its sustainable buildings.

“These buildings require the highest standards of sustainability and performance when it comes to energy-saving, fire safety, air quality and acoustic performance and we are proud Knauf Insulation solutions were selected for these iconic towers.”

Other developments in Milan that feature our solutions include the renovation of Palazzo San Fedele (LEED GOLD in progress) and the construction of two important towers: Gioia 22 tower (LEED GOLD in progress) and Bonnet Tower (LEED GOLD and WELL in progress).

Milan enjoys a reputation as Italy’s green capital with 200 buildings certified or under certification by Green Building Rating Schemes; areas specifically designated as green districts; 290 bike stations, 3,650 bicycles and 218km of cycle paths as well as 1,000 electric vehicle-charging stations scheduled for 2020.

“Green building and sustainable urban development is a rapidly growing trend in Milan but also across the whole country and we are working very closely with LEED and BREEAM assessors nationwide offering technical support in the management of projects,” explains Francesco.

“If you are an investor in buildings and you want to differentiate yourself from the competition there is no better way than adding value through a healthier, energy-saving building that has a lower carbon footprint.
“Ultimately, a certified sustainable building is genuinely a win-win for everyone.”

The number of LEED certified/registered for certification buildings in Italy, for example, has now risen to 544, according to Greenwich, a team of Milan-based consultants that works with Knauf Insulation.

In Milan there are 118 LEED projects with a total of 82 other buildings certified or registered according to BREEAM, WELL or the national Green Building Council’s own green rating scheme (see story right). With so much sustainable urban development to celebrate, Italy’s GBC published a map — with Municipality support — highlighting every ‘green building’.

“The map was born out of the desire to show people the evolution of the city and its urban layout allowing them a new perspective on the innovation of new buildings and the renovation of historic buildings,” says Giuliano Dall’O, Italy’s Green Building Council President.

Our NaturBoard Rock Mineral Wool with ECOSE Technology® in Italy was named Trend of the Year 2019 by Kilmahouse and Polytechnic of Milan. The award recognises companies for minimising the environmental impact of production and anticipating sustainable regulation.