The March 2024 opening of four “alphabet office buildings” marks the latest step in the Symbiosis project of urban revitalization in a formerly industrial district of Milan, Italy. PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified as the concrete waterproofing solution to protect the below-grade structures from groundwater penetration.
Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) Architects, the Symbiosis Business District is a sprawling urban revitalization project of the Porta Romana-Vettabbia district in southeastern Milan, which covers an area of 130,000 m2 (>32 acres). The development encompasses 125,000 m2 of new office space, the regeneration of Porta Romana railway yard, and 25,000 m2 of parks and natural spaces. The Piazza Adriano Olivetti, named after the renowned Italian industrialist and engineer, was unveiled in 2018 as the starting point of the Symbiosis business hub project.
“All this new construction has attracted a number of multinational companies and transformed a previously derelict historic industrial area into a bustling mixed-use business district and urban innovation hub,” adds Enricomaria Gastaldo Brac, CEO & Managing Director of Penetron Italia. “Today, the district boasts showrooms, museums, universities, research centers, and homes to international brands such as Fondazione Prada and Talent Garden.”
The most recent wave of construction saw completion of “Building D” on the Via Vezza d'Oglio, “Building F” on Via Condino, and “Building G” and “Building H” on the Viale Ortles – multi-story office buildings that feature an eye-catching modernist architecture and extensive below-grade structures. The Symbiosis buildings are classified as Energy Class A with a goal of obtaining the exclusive LEED Platinum certification awarded to buildings that control and curb CO₂ emissions into the air.
To protect the below-grade structures of the new buildings from groundwater penetration, COVIVIO, a European real estate developer, specified PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, for the concrete mix for the below-grade concrete structures. PENEBAR SW, a swellable waterstop, was also used to permanently seal all construction joints. The technical team from Penetron Italia worked with CMB CARPI, the general contractor, to ensure an optimal concrete mix for the below-grade concrete foundation structures – including the foundation slabs, retaining walls, and elevator pits.
Once mixed into the concrete, the proprietary chemicals in PENETRON ADMIX react with moisture and concrete minerals to form insoluble crystals throughout the entire concrete matrix. The insoluble crystals forming within the cracks and voids of the concrete matrix reduce concrete permeability, provide corrosion mitigation and self-healing abilities to seal hairline cracks over the service life of the structure.
“The specification of PENETRON ADMIX will extend the service life of the below-grade concrete structures at Symbiosis by 60 or more years, even with constant exposure to the region’s groundwater levels,” concludes Enricomaria Gastaldo Brac.
Professional concrete pour: Penetron Italy worked with CMB CARPI, the general contractor, to ensure an optimal concrete mix for the foundation slabs, retaining walls, and elevator pits.
Protecting below-grade structures from groundwater: COVIVIO, a European real estate developer, specified PENETRON ADMIX for the concrete mix for the below-grade concrete structures.
Symbiosis protected by Penetron: PENETRON ADMIX can extend the service life of below-grade concrete structures by 60 years or more, even under constant exposure to groundwater.
