The architect has developed a resource-saving and environmentally friendly solution for a commercial building, although previously his focus was mainly on residential buildings.
In this case, we are talking about the 10-storey office complex "Isola", which is part of the project for the development of a new area of Porta Nuova in Milan. Since most of the new quarters will be occupied by residential areas, McDonagh faced various restrictions set by local legislation: for example, his project should provide for the potential transformation of the building into an apartment building in the future.
Nevertheless, the architect was able to make the new building as energy efficient as possible and comply with the LEED gold certificate of green architecture.
The building will be equipped with solar panels and a system for using the heat of the soil; the outer layer of its shell will be made of insulating panels made of glass, metal and terracotta, which will not only reduce energy losses, but will also not prevent employees from opening windows (which in itself will reduce air conditioning costs).
