Residential Area nòvAmpère (Italy)
2,700 m² of smog-reducing facade
The new nòvAmpère residential area in Milan, Italy, was developed by GRM Sviluppo and designed by Studio Beretta Associati. With 101 apartments covering 10,000 square metres, of which 4,000 square metres are designated as green areas, the project applies the principles of sustainability, starting from the outer cladding.
The building, in fact, boasts a large facade, which is capable of reducing smog and improving air quality. It was made using TX ACTIVE, the photocatalytic cement patented by Heidelberg Materials, that makes it possible to combine sustainability with aesthetic quality.
This technology was applied to 2,700 square metres of external walls at nòvAmpère, and is capable of neutralising daily emissions from approximately 54 petrol vehicles or 40 diesel vehicles.
The principal challenge of this project was the accurate installation of the photocatalytic facade down to the millimetre. Great attention had to be paid to the interaction between the structure of the reinforced concrete built on site and the various-sized, prefabricated aesthetic modules made of TX Active cement.
But sustainability at nòvAmpère is not limited to the facade: the complex was designed to include systems that exploit geothermal principles using a heat pump to transform water, earth, and air – clean and renewable sources – into energy to heat or cool the individual units. Water used in the process is reused for irrigation of the park, hence returning to the aquifers it was originally taken from. Sunlight, on the other hand, contributes to the creation of energy by means of photovoltaic panels.
Attention to detail and the search for innovative solutions also characterise the design of the interiors. The apartments all boast superior finishing elements. They are equipped with user-friendly home automation to manage the microclimate of each individual apartment. The top floor includes green spaces with a green roof and wellness areas, consisting of a sauna and Turkish bath. A variety of types of residential units is available, including apartments with triple exposure, or units designed around a central patio. The entire basement floor is dedicated to parking facilities and technical rooms. The large internal garden features a variety of tall trees and contributes, like a green lung, to improving the level of liveability and environmental sustainability of the area.
