Public conversation

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿?

Hot Heart, developed for the Helsinki Energy Challenge to ...help the city achieve carbon-neutral heating by 2030, functions like a giant thermal battery. Low- or negative-cost renewable energy is converted into heat, stored in the tanks and withdrawn into the city’s heat distribution channels during the winter.

The project features an archipelago of 10 heat-storing basins, acting as thermal batteries while also serving as recreational spaces with tropical ecosystems. The system, powered by AI, stabilizes the energy grid and is adaptable for other cities. In addition to its environmental benefits, Hot Heart offers unique public spaces, blending nature and technology.

@crassociati #Green #Transition #HotHeart #climatechange #architecture #design #future #carloratti

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! /𝟲

Today we talked with Claudia Dorman-Alonso, Strategy and Innovation Associate at Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA).

Claudia trained as an architect, earning her bachelor's degree at Oxford Brookes University before ...moving to Italy to complete her Master’s in Architecture Construction and City at Politecnico di Torino, where she graduated with honors and a special mention. After university, Claudia gained experience as a multidisciplinary designer at various firms in London and as a technical designer at Permasteelisa in Veneto. She joined CRA in November 2022.

At CRA, Claudia is part of the Strategy and Innovation team, which collaborates with private and public stakeholders to develop innovative architectural and engineering solutions with positive environmental and social impacts. Notably, she has contributed to projects like the proposed replacement for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. After the bridge's collapse in March 2024, CRA, along with WeBuild and Michel Virlogeux, proposed a cable-stayed design that reimagines the entrance to Baltimore Harbor while enhancing safety and adaptability. Claudia is also involved in the feasibility studies for the CRA Hot Heart and Cool Heart Project, a floating structure designed as a giant battery that stores renewable energy from wind, solar, and other sources to provide heat during winter.

She is passionate about the transformative power of design, the wise use of technology, and the integration of natural and artificial elements in urban development.

@crassociati @claudiadormanalonso
#CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife

With summer vacation coming to an end, we are all gradually returning to our daily routines. Although CRA has never really closed, between remote work and vacations, the office has emptied out. Fortunately, an unexpected guest has kept us company during this hot August... Now that we are all back, ...we are ready to dive into our work and take on new challenges with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Exciting projects are on the horizon that we can't wait to share with you. Stay tuned for upcoming news, as we look forward to making this the most productive season ever!

@crassociati #CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife #summer #hot #cities #garden

𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀

Renowned French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre, a guest at the “The Atlas of Digital Art” event, was captivated by the spaces at MEET. We at CRA-Carlo Ratti ...Associati designed these spaces to host immersive exhibitions that amplify the sensory experiences of visitors.

Jarre, who redefined ambient music with his album “Oxygen,” bringing avant-garde and experimental elements into pop music, said, “We need places like this. MEET is an opportunity not only for Milan but also for Europe. It’s an important place to capture new trends and movements.”

The venue, housed in a historic palazzo, features a 15-meter-high vertical space that effortlessly transforms from a theater to a workspace, encouraging unexpected encounters. The design emphasizes hybrid spaces throughout the center's rooms for exhibitions, talks, and performances.

Have you been there yet?

@crassociati @italorotastudio @jeanmicheljarre #verticalplaza #architecture #design #interiordesign #stairs #carloratti #milano #milan #design #connect #people #future @fondazione_cariplo @meet.digitalculturecenter

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! /𝟱

Meet Rui Guan, one of our Project Managers at the CRA New York Office! Rui brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as a senior designer at CRA and his extensive background as a design manager in ...Shanghai's real estate sector. Rejoining us in 2023, Rui now leads key projects and manages crucial clients.

Rui's expertise and vision are evident in projects like the Jian Mu Tower. "Serving as the lead designer from our New York office, this project embodies our dedication to integrating nature within urban environments. The tower's vertical hydroponic farms, managed by AI, enhance energy efficiency by providing natural shading and supplying fresh food for thousands of residents. Working on projects that address environmental challenges aligns with my values and fuels my passion for my work," says Rui.

Rui is passionate about bridging diversity, using technology wisely, and harmonizing natural and artificial elements in the design process. "Jian Mu Tower demonstrates how technology and nature can coexist to improve urban living, creating a self-sufficient ecosystem," he explains.

@crassociati @guan.rui
#CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife

𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆: 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿

A few days ago Carlo was interviewed in La Stampa, the newspaper of Turin, about the city's proposal to ...install a new Ferris Wheel. Our idea, here at CRA, is to always try to create innovative design able to change way we perceive and experience things.

However, Turin has a particular structure and through its hills it already has several vertical, natural and free observation points like Superga. Furthermore, our symbolic monument, the Mole Antonelliana, is precisely a vertical observatory placed almost 100 meters above the ground.

The goal, therefore, is to enhance and offer new perspectives at the way we can use observation points. At CRA we have studied it with the Jian Mu Tower, in Shenzen (CH), whose roof wants to give the idea of an "infinite walk" strolling in the sky. Or in the experimental project The Mile, where its transparency creates the effect of moving "up in the air".

#crassociati #carloratti #design #innovation #architecture #torino #turin #shenzen #themile #wednesday

𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀

As summer temperatures soar in our cities, many of us seek refuge in green ...spaces, enjoying the coolness and relaxation they offer. Integrating parks, gardens, and greenery into urban environments, or even onto our buildings, is a powerful way to enhance urban life. A prime example of this innovative approach is our CapitaSpring in Singapore—a 51-story skyscraper that stands tall in the heart of the financial district. Constructed on the site of a former parking lot and hawker center, this multifunctional marvel brings together lush green spaces with high-end office areas and residential units. Boasting over 80,000 plants and a landscaped area that exceeds 140% of the original site, CapitaSpring is more than just a green retreat. It redefines the concept of vertical urbanism, blurring the boundaries between city and nature in a bold, new way.

Designed by @crassociati and @big_builds for @capitaland Development (CLD) and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

#carloratti #design #architecture #naturalartificial #greenarchitecture #sustainability #architecturedaily #amazingarchitecture

We are all following the Paris Olympics these days, and what about the athletes swimming in the Seine? It's an incredible project that highlights the wider intention of rehabilitating urban waterways. There are many ways we can design a renewed, livable, and dynamic river—and its ...riverside—and here is what the City of Turin has in mind for our hometown: revitalizing the Po River and turning it into a vibrant community space while improving its environmental health.

The City plans to revamp the riverfront, particularly the world-famous cultural hub known as Murazzi, with a new public space that will help people re-imagine and re-live one of its most historic spots.

From this idea, we propose using innovative architectural solutions to transform Murazzi into the dynamic and sustainable community hub the city is looking for. The project includes kinetic floating floors within the historic Murazzi del Po warehouses, which adapt to changes in water levels, providing resilience against flooding.

Additionally, the project involves creating new piers that serve both as docking points and vibrant public spaces. This initiative not only addresses local needs but also proposes universal strategies for improving urban waterways in the face of climate change.

At CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, we envision a playground city where people gather, meet, and explore new ideas and experiences. We foster the connection between the natural and the artificial, transforming our waterways and rivers into dynamic spaces for discovery and innovation. We are happy to cooperate and follow the City's vision to develop better public spaces which will shape the future of Torino.

@crassociati #CarloRatti #futureofthecity #urban #naturalartificial #climatechange #kineticarchitecture #Olympics #Paris2024

Ever find yourself browsing through your photo gallery and reliving old memories? Today, we are feeling a bit nostalgic and are doing the same with our projects.

What an adventure it was to create the Italian Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020!

We embarked on this journey with the ...concept of introducing reconfigurable and circular architecture to temporary exhibition spaces.

The pavilion's multimedia façade, constructed from two million recycled plastic bottles, incorporates innovative building materials such as algae, coffee grounds, and orange peels. The roof, crafted from three boat hulls, symbolizes historical connections between the Italian and Arabian peninsulas.

Additionally, the pavilion features a curtain façade made of recycled nautical ropes, providing natural ventilation and shading to promote sustainable cooling.

The Italian Pavilion at @expo2020dubai was designed by @crassociati and @italorotastudio with @matteogattoeassociati and @fm_ingegneria

@italyexpo2020 @lavazzaofficial #beautyconnectspeople
Photo credits: @michelenastasiphotography

𝗢𝗵, 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱!

We are incredibly proud of this project and would like to reiterate what sets The Greenary apart as an innovative residence and a benchmark for our design ...philosophy.

The transformation of this traditional farmhouse revolves around a ten-meter-tall tree, appealing to biophilia, the inherent fondness we humans have for nature.

Situated amidst the lush green countryside near Parma, the house not only serves as a residence for a family but also accommodates various animals, such as donkeys, a piglet, dogs, and pond frogs.

The house is distinguished by a 60-year-old ficus tree named Alma, which plays a central role in the design. The project optimizes natural light and incorporates advanced climate control technology, all in harmony with Alma.

This groundbreaking residence exemplifies CRA’s vision of a new approach to design that merges the natural and the artificial.

@crassociati #CarloRatti #biophilicarchitecture #green #greenary #architecture

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

Summer’s here, and so are the heat waves. Did you know trees and green spaces improve air quality and cool our cities? Green roofs, vertical gardens, and parks boost biodiversity and sustainability.

At ...CRA, we champion natural materials and eco-friendly construction to cut buildings’ carbon footprints.

Nature in cities is essential to combat global warming, enhance quality of life, and build resilient, healthy urban spaces.

Meanwhile, here at CRA, we enjoy the coolness under the shade of our tree.

@crassociati #CarloRattio #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife #summer #hot #cities #garden

Our design for Jian Mu Tower has been awarded in the Green Architecture category at the DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2024!

Our vision for this office building in Shenzhen, China, features 10,000 square meters of vertical hydroponic farms on its façade, designed to cultivate crops. The ...218-meter skyscraper will integrate natural and artificial elements, allowing tenants to grow, purchase, and consume fresh produce within the building, fulfilling the needs of about 40,000 people annually.

Jian Mu Tower will house offices, a supermarket, and a food court, aiming to establish an autonomous food supply chain. Additionally, the building will include landscape terraces and inner gardens, promoting biodiversity, enhancing relaxation, and reducing reliance on air conditioning through effective solar shading.

This project exemplifies our commitment to addressing climate change through design, integrating advanced technology to harmonize urban living with the natural world.

📸: Jian Mu Tower, 2021 - @crassociati #CarloRatti #verticalfarm #naturalartificial
@dna_paris

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! /𝟰

Back to our "MEET THE TEAM", this week we talked with Nicolette, a senior architect at CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati.

CRA's architecture and innovation team collaborates with private and public ...stakeholders to develop innovative architectural and engineering solutions with a positive environmental and social impact.

Nicolette is a senior architect who began her professional journey in 2016 in Rotterdam. Her early work focused on three key design themes: addressing housing density issues, transforming historic buildings, and regenerating urban areas.

In 2022, Nicolette joined Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA). Reflecting on her time at CRA, she states, "I really resonate with the studio's values - innovation, sustainability, and the transformative power of design to enhance urban living - and I believe they guide our approach to every project."

Currently, Nicolette is working on the Mondadori Office Playground project in Milan, Italy, which proposes a radical renovation of modern furniture, aiming to create a fully reconfigurable work environment. She explains: "This project embodies a vision of architecture that I believe in. Our approach is rooted in a deep respect for the building's historical legacy, yet we've been able to imbue it with natural and cutting-edge solutions."

@crassociati @nicolettemarzovilla
#CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife

𝗔 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

CRA is transforming an old hospital complex in Modena, Italy, into a major cultural and innovation hub named AGO Modena Fabbriche Culturali, featuring a triangular ...plaza with a movable, origami-like roof.

The 20,000 square-meter project blends architectural conservation with kinetic architecture to create dynamic, flexible spaces, including a kinetic roof in one courtyard that adapts to various conditions and functions.

The project, situated at the entrance to Modena’s medieval city center, aims to restore and adapt the historic site dynamically, keeping parts of the restoration unfinished to allow for future transformations.

@crassociati @italorota @agomodenafacultura #ago #modena #nasa #origami #cra #carloratti #chuckhoberman #architecture #design #future

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, along with Italo Rota and Maestro Technologies, transforms Palazzo Mondadori in Milan, maintaining Oscar Niemeyer's iconic design while introducing innovative ...workplace strategies.

The renovation for leading Italian publisher Mondadori, in collaboration with Generali Real Estate, covers over 20,000 square meters, with plans for a wider renovation of Niemeyer's European landmark. The project reimagines modern furniture by refurbishing over 1300 units of original modular furnishings, integrating wood and creating reconfigurable modules that incorporate natural elements.

The redesign includes desks that promote informal encounters, transparent meeting rooms for continuity, and a layout that maximizes natural light, enhancing the connection with the surrounding park. The intervention aims to rejuvenate the cutting-edge office spaces of the 1970s with modern innovation, fostering a dynamic and engaging work environment.

📷 @dsl__studio @delfino_sl @melaniadallegrave

@crassociati #CarloRatti #workspaces #office #greenworkplace #plantlife #workspacedesign #biophilia #ecobuilding #carlorattiassociati #design #GeneraliRealRstate @gruppomondadori @italorotastudio

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! /𝟯

This week, we talked with Camilla Nicolini, Strategy & Innovation Associate at CRA.

The Strategy & Innovation team collaborates with private and public stakeholders to develop innovative architectural and ...engineering solutions with a positive environmental and social impact.

Camilla is a licensed architect who began her studies at Università di Roma Tre in Rome and continued at Politecnico di Torino in Turin, where she earned a master's degree in Architecture for Sustainability. For her master’s thesis, she explored strategies for revitalizing the Val Formazza area, a project that earned her the Uncem Prize.

In her role at CRA, she says: “Contributing to the projects 'Wood You Believe?' and 'The Wood Without the Tree,' has profoundly shaped my understanding and passion for sustainable design, while allowing me to engage deeply with the firm's values of sustainability and innovation."

The two projects were showcased during Milan Design Week in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Camilla continues: "'The Wood You Believe?' installation highlighted the beauty and potential of circularity, showcasing how high-quality timber panels can be produced entirely from recycled wood. 'The Wood Without the Tree' took this further by using digital fabrication techniques, demonstrating the potential of technology to revolutionize the construction industry by optimizing material use and the fabrication process. It's really meaningful to work on projects that align with my values, and it's special to see them materialize."

@crassociati @_caminico_
#CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

The Patapsco River is now clear of debris, and traffic is set to resume on June 10 in Baltimore. This follows the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge after a collision with a container ship in ...March.

Currently, the Maryland Transportation Authority is looking for design-and-build teams to reconstruct the bridge. We’re stepping in by submitting our unsolicited proposal for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Our vision is to create structures that harmonize with nature and utilize cutting-edge technology to prevent future accidents. Partnering with Webuild and engineer Michel Virlogeux, our cable-stayed design aims to enhance safety and accommodate high traffic demands.

@crassociati #CarloRatti @webuildgroup #MichelVirlogeux #design #baltimorebridge #bridge #construction #usa

📸 @brickvisual

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Forbes interviewed Carlo on the theme of the #BiennaleArchitettura2025, #IntelliGens.

“A challenge that can only be addressed collaboratively, with a plurality of approaches. Around ...the world, cities and territories are rapidly evolving in response to climate change. Forced to address urgent problems - rising sea levels, urban heat islands, extreme weather events, protection of the most vulnerable populations - local communities around the world are now at the forefront of innovation processes in the built environment.”

The Biennale Architettura 2025 will encourage collaborations among various professionals to advance scientific knowledge, and it is this interdisciplinary approach that forms the basis of Intelligens.

@labiennale @forbesitalia #EnzoArgante #BiennaleArchitettura2025 #IntelliGens #CarloRatti #LaBiennaleDiVenezia #BiennaleArchitettura

Researchers from DUSP’s Senseable City Lab and the Sustainable Urbanization Lab met to collaborate at Tsinghua Univerisity! From left to right:
Yan Yao (SCL), Yinjing Huang (SCL), Pei Zhao (SCL), Fábio Duarte (SCL/SUL), Lei Dong (SCL/SUL), Jinghao Wang (SUL), and Fan Zhang (SCL).

...We just love a mini reunion 🤝

#senseablecitylab #sustainableurbanization #mit #mitdusp #dusp #tsinghuauniversity #urbanstudies #urbanplanning #futurecities #urban #urbandata #bigdata #futurecities

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

For the first time, practitioners, scientists, scholars, activists, architects and non-architects are encouraged to submit their ideas for the #BiennaleArchitettura2025 #IntelliGens (deadline: 21 June 2024).

... “Every proposal, no matter how audacious, is worthy of consideration in the face of today’s defining challenges”, says Carlo. That’s why every one of them will be evaluated by the Curator for possible inclusion in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – @labiennale (#Venice, 10 May > 23 November 2025) or the broader curatorial program.

Read more → www.labiennale.org - LINK IN BIO

#BiennaleArchitettura2025 #IntelliGens #CarloRatti #LaBiennaleDiVenezia #BiennaleArchitettura

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗

Imagine your university as a place that nurtures creativity, unexpected encounters, and pioneering ideas. In order to achieve new utopias, we must construct utopian spaces. The development of the new ...University of Milan campus in the Mind district, designed by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, is progressing following additional funding from the European Bank and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Cdp).

Spanning 190,000 square meters, the campus will accommodate 23,000 researchers and students. It will feature verdant courtyards, interconnected walkways, five brick buildings, a central square, and a lake. The project pays tribute to Renaissance architect Filarete's Ca' Granda, employing modern robotic construction techniques to produce intricate bas-relief facades.

Taking inspiration from Philarete's utopian ideals, the campus prioritizes physical proximity to facilitate scientific collaboration. Noteworthy features include the "Common Ground" network of pathways and abundant greenery, designed to foster interaction between academia and the surrounding innovation district.

@crassociati #CarloRatti #urban #futureofthecities #MIND #campus #università #university

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! /𝟮

Our next guest is Gabriele Sacchi, an architect at CRA, with whom we discussed engaging architecture that fosters continuous research about the connection between the natural and artificial worlds.

Gabriele is a ...licensed architect who studied Architecture and Urban Design at Politecnico di Milano. He developed his master's thesis in Toronto, Canada, focusing on the integration of public environments with innovative mobility solutions.

At CRA, Gabriele recently contributed to the “Water Batteries” project, the renewable energy park we showcased a few weeks ago in Trieste, Italy. "Working on a project that revitalizes a former industrial and polluting area has been both challenging and fascinating. The facility will now be repurposed for a somewhat similar output, producing and storing energy, but in a clean and innovative manner.”

Gabriele concludes, "I appreciate this project's approach because it embodies CRA's goal: to create something innovative with new functionality, even from pre-existing structures. This allows us to rethink the public realm by connecting people, nature, and the built environment."

@crassociati @gabrielesacchi #CarloRatti #office #spaziinnovativi #workingspace #coworking #teamwork #cralife