Pirelli Learning Center by Onsitestudio

The project for the new Pirelli Learning Center, BigMat National Prize in Italy 2021, is located within the historic industrial district of Bicocca, north of Milan, the subject of a profound urban transformation at the end of the 1980s according to Vittorio Gregotti’s masterplan.

Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Filippo Romano

The building than will contain the learning centre and the canteen is located at the heart of the neighbourhood, directly relating to Arcimboldi Theatre, Pirelli foundation and the corporate headquarter, one of the most significant building designed by Gregotti.


BigMat National Prize in Italy’21 
Pirelli Learning Center in Milano, Italy, by Onsitestudio srl

Project: onsitestudio: Angelo Lunati, Giancarlo Floridi
Project leader: Michele Miserotti
Project team execution phase: Stefano Casula, Filippo Cattapan, Leonardo Chironi, Nicolò De Paoli, Emilio Ellena, Filippo Fagioli, Jo Fonti, Luca Gallizioli, Davide Macchi, Gianpietro Manazza, Ilaria Pisoni
Project team competition phase: Filippo Cattapan, Jo Fonti, Luca Gallizioli, Chiara Molinari, Sebastian Sanchez
Structures & Construction management: SCE project s.r.l.
MEP: Deerns Italia S.p.A.
Lighting: Voltaire Sas
Landscape: Studio Giorgetta
Safe: Soluzioni s.r.l.
General contractor: Carron Cav. Angelo S.p.A.
Client: Pirelli & C. S.p.A.


Given this context, the project aims to define a contemporary building that echoes the sober urban characters of the campus as well as the historic buildings and that establishes dimensional and proportional relations in terms of facade, windows and decorations with the surrounding environment.

Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Filippo Romano
Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Filippo Romano

The new complex appears as a compact and dense element divided into three levels, parallel to Viale Sarca; however it opens up towards the broad historic garden through a one floor building with a wide green terrace.

Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Onsitestudio
Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Onsitestudio
Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Onsitestudio

Such element yields a sequence of different open spaces and produces various visual relations between the buildings of the campus.

As for the functional scheme, its compactness is combined with the creation of two connecting and crossing elements: one on the ground floor that connects the entrance from Viale Sarca with the campus, one other that links different functions of the learning centre: a winter garden, a library, double height relaxing spaces and meeting rooms.


This “Learning street” confers great spacial quality to the lecture rooms, which have been designed to be as pragmatic and simple as possible, considering a future conversion into offices.

Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Filippo Romano
Pirelli Learning Center, Onsitestudio srl © Filippo Romano