Stefano Boeri Architects have a unique vision for futuristic architecture infused with living vegetation, incorporating thousands or even millions of plants into their designs. From their “Tower of the Cedars” high-rise with its facade covered in evergreen trees to a utopian smart city in Mexico and even a recent campaign creating vaccination pavilions in the shape of flowers, the firm’s approach emphasizes our intrinsic need for a connection with nature. Next, they’ll team up with Diller Scofidio + Renfro to refresh the Pirelli 39 site in Milan.

Built in 1950, the 26-story Pirellino Tower hosted the headquarters of Italian tire company Pirelli until 2015, when it was abandoned over concerns about its ability to withstand earthquakes and its environmental performance. The site itself, set in a prime urban location, is currently underutilized and not very pedestrian-friendly. Boeri’s plan aims to revive the area, creating a new hub for events and exhibitions. While the Pirellino Tower’s renewal champions the value of reusing old buildings rather than demolishing them, it will also become a cultural symbol for a new era of architecture and development that prioritizes meeting current and future environmental and social emergencies over all else. The two towers will be connected by a stunning multi-story glass bridge stretching over the Via Melchiorre Gioia, one of Milan’s busiest roads, and act as an extension of the nearby Bibliotec...