The Borgo Sostenibile project concerns the realization of a residential complex at Figino, a historic neighbourhood to the west of the city of Milan. The project consists of a total of 321 energy class A apartments offered for rental at affordable rents or on a rent-to-buy basis. Borgo Sostenible offers an accommodation solution that promotes the dissemination of a concept of sustainable and collaborative living. In addition to the apartments, there are shared spaces available to the residents, a linear park, an internal promenade, and a public square with shops and services. The project is targeted principally at families with young children and at young couples, but also at families that include the elderly. The project is completed by a public footpath that passes through an area of green beside the residential buildings. Fondazione Cariplo gave important support to the innovative features of the Borgo Sostenibile project by providing funds to sustain the energetic efficiency of the buildings as well as to designate a proportion of the dwellings to house residential services and to support temporary housing situations. The project also includes the realization of Borgo Assistito, a healthcare facility available to the whole neighbourhood which is able to accommodate self-sufficient elderly people and a centre for services to promote well-being which is aimed at families.

The architectural design, which is the outcome of a 2009 international design competition promoted by InvestiRE Sgr and Fondazione Housing Sociale, was realized by four architectural studios which were selected to work together to develop the project for Borgo Sostenibile, each interpreting in a different way the theme of the residential building within the specific context of the Figino neighbourhood as a green Milanese suburban village. Continuity with this context was developed through the predominant use of courtyard-type buildings as a core element of the settlement, and through the diversity of the architecture and dimensions of the buildings, thus making it possible to replicate the complexity of the historical buildings like those in the nearby rural village. The buildings were designed taking advantage of construction systems that make it possible to combine high standards of housing, technology and energy-efficiency with cost-efficiency in realization and management. The project makes use of innovative utilities and construction technology that enable each apartment to achieve a high level of architectural and environmental quality.

In addition to the affordable housing it offers, the Borgo Sostenibile intervention aims to enhance the social dimension of the rural village and to encourage sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways of living. The project is part of the Milan neighbourhood of Figino, which still retains evidence of the urbanistic and architectural features of its past as an old agricultural village – characteristics of which can still be seen today in the relationships between its inhabitants. The Community Start-up Process was begun during the selection phase, through the organization of meetings aimed at assisting the future residents in their choice and at building an initial core of active residents around which the new community could develop. The residents have access to the web platform SpaceH to assist them in the management of the shared spaces and in the organization of activities and initiatives.

FONDO IMMOBILIARE DI LOMBARDIA
FUND MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
REDO Sgr
TECHNICAL AND SOCIAL ADVISOR
Fondazione Housing Sociale
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Comune di Milano

ARCHITECTS
RSG s.r.l
arch. Paolo Favole
arch. Enrico Garbin
arch. Francesco Matucci

SOCIAL MANAGER
QLS

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Carron Cav. Angelo S.p.A.

OTHER ENTITIES INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT
Spazio Aperto Servizi
Genera
Centro Bambino Maltrattato
Arimo
L’albero della vita
A77
Associazione Famiglie Sindrome di Williams
Anita
Mare Culturale Urbano