In the heart of Milan’s Selvanesco-Vigentino district, along via Muzio Attendolo detto Sforza 4, one of the iconic former Ligresti buildings has recently undergone a complete transformation. The credit goes to the architectural intervention led by architect Davide Maffietti, commissioned by Andrea Volpe, and most notably to the material choice: ForMe Design's products played a key role in a facade redevelopment that entirely redefined the building's visual identity.
Originally constructed in the late 1980s as part of the area's business development, the building stood out for its monolithic appearance, clad in prefabricated concrete panels, with a half-pediment at the corner as its only distinctive feature. The bold orange and ochre tones, typical of that architectural era, contributed to a heavy and outdated look. Today, through a clean architectural language and carefully curated materials, the structure has been transformed into a compact, elegant, and technological volume that now asserts itself in the urban landscape with renewed authority.
The project is based on the architectural integration of three distinct aluminum cladding systems developed by ForMe Design, all employed in the facade redevelopment. The black Cladding system was used to define the building’s base and vertical structural elements, bringing depth and geometric rigor to the composition. The white Batten 50 system, applied to the upper levels, creates a vertical rhythm that visually lightens the mass and lends the facade a refined cadence.
Completing the architectural design, the inclusion of slotted aluminum panels introduces a graphic pattern with strong visual impact, adding dynamism to the building’s skin while also improving natural ventilation and solar shading.
PROJECT DETAILS
YEAR
2025
CITY
Milan
ARCHITECT
Davide Maffietti
CLIENT
Andrea Volpe
APPLICATION
Commercial
PRODUCT
BATTENS 50 - CLADDING
The intervention, while preserving the original structure, brings about a profound transformation through a layering approach: the old facade is wrapped in a new technological skin that redefines the building’s proportions and its relationship with the surrounding context. It is a successful example of facade redevelopment, where material—aluminum, in this case—becomes the narrative tool for expressing an architectural evolution.
In the broader context of urban regeneration in Milan’s southern quadrant—where many former industrial and office buildings are being demolished or repurposed—this project represents an effective and sustainable strategy. Without erasing the memory of the place, but rather updating it through a precise design gesture, the building establishes itself as a new technological landmark. The choice of aluminum cladding systems ensures an outcome that is aesthetically refined, durable, and aligned with the innovative identity of the WIIT brand.
This operation shows how ForMe Design products go far beyond simple cladding: they become tools for storytelling, for reconnecting with the urban fabric, and for reinforcing the values and positioning of the businesses that inhabit these spaces.
