Architecture of the Pirelli Company, Milan

In 1872, Giovanni Battista Pirelli founded Pirelli & C. in Milan. It was the first factory for the manufacture of rubber goods. Today it is primarily a manufacturer of tires, and it is the largest company based in Milan. Thus, the Pirelli company has had a significant impact on the architecture of the city. In the past decade, they have been building several new office and housing constructions on the periphery of downtown, at the location of their original factory. This is part of a revitalization of the Pirelli-Bicocca area of the city, in which Renzo Piano has been involved. While their production facilities are no longer located here, they have built new structures to house offices, and also protect their old buildings. Their headquarters is now located in a tower next to Stazione Centrale, designed by Gio Ponti (1956). It is the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the world and has become an icon of the company and of Milan. Since their founding, the Pirelli company has had a positive impact on the architectural and economic development of the city, and likely will continue to do so for years to come.

Will Wingfield