Trussardi Café | CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati

The Unexpected Garden is a project for the Trussardi Fashion House; the extension of the Trussardi Cafe through a closed terrace follows a study of new functions for the ground floor of the headquarters of the fashion house in Piazza della Scala, Milan. The new terrace acts as a glass case with a real hanging garden suspended from the roof, made possible thanks to the ‘green wall’ invented by the French botanist Patrick Blanc. More than 120 different plant species are placed on the thin support structure, creating the effect of a green cloud floating in space. In addition to the visual effect, 100 square meters of plant-life are brought into the square without taking up floor space, improving air quality and providing shade during the summer season. It is estimated that for each car eliminated in the newly pedestrian-friendly square, there are an additional 5 square metres of greenery. With the use of a living element as the building material the entire structure can be interpreted as an organism with its own metabolism. Underneath it is a flaneur’s paradise, with leather-covered Panton chairs and Michelin-starred food by chef Andrea Berton. DESIGN CONSULTANTS: Polar Glass System - structure; Patrick Blanc - vertical greenery; David Drago - interior design; Artemide - lighting REALIZATION: Polar Glass System - structure and glass; DRC consulting - irrigation system; BMZ - climate control system; Pesenti - electrical system; Fabio Pollano - ‘vertical greenery’ installation; Montorfano edile - construction company; Ing. Umberto Montorfano - project management