The design of Bonnet Tower in Milan
The renovation of the area where the old Unilever Tower stood, built in the 1960s, to become the new Corso Como Place is a true masterpiece that exemplifies the beauty of modern design. With its sleek lines and practical layout, these incredible buildings are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, and are a true landmark in the bustling city of Milan, Italy.
The transformation of the new Corso Como Place area was a massive undertaking that required the input of some of the world’s most talented architects and engineers, and the PLP Architecture team was able to rise to the challenge and deliver an outstanding final product that met all expectations.
The new Bonnet Tower, in particular, leased by Accenture, is destined to become one of the most iconic structures in Porta Nuova, the Milanese neighborhood in which it is located, and thanks to its unique shape and imposing height of 70 meters, it has already attracted the attention of citizens and tourists alike, becoming a must-see destination for anyone visiting the city.
Through the use of cutting-edge materials and sustainable technologies, the architecture of the Bonnet Tower is truly innovative. The building has been LEED v.4 BD+C and WELL certified, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. In addition, Corso Como Place has been recognized by the Green Building Council Italy as Project of the Month for April 2023, further highlighting its exceptional design and construction.
Overall, the Bonnet Tower is an extraordinary example of modern architecture that perfectly combines form and function. It is no wonder that this exceptional building has quickly become a must-see destination for anyone who wants to experience the best architectural wonders of Milan, being able to enjoy 360-degree views of the Milan skyline from its rooftop terrace.
The Façade, Constructed of Glass and Carbon Steel
The facade of the Bonnet Tower is characterized by clean, bold lines, but also by sophisticated and refined details.
It consists of large windows, which give brightness and transparency to the entire building, and a series of decorative elements that recall the Milanese tradition.
In the center of the façade is a large glass entrance, giving access to the building’s inner courtyard, which is decorated with a series of geometric motifs and the building’s logo, made with great attention to detail.
Above the entrance is a large double-height atrium, featuring a series of glass and steel arches that create a striking visual effect, Montanstahl participated in the project supplied laser welding sharp corners mullions in carbon steel.
The profiles used precisely for the building’s large entrance, thanks to laser welding technology the sharp angle reflect the modernity of the architecture giving a sense of slenderness to the entrance and pursuing that sophistication typical of the Italian city in constant movement and transformation.
Montanstahl and Laser Welding
Montanstahl specializes in the production of high-quality steel profiles, and working in collaboration with the customer to fully understand the requirements and specifications needed, it participated by producing 21 tons of sharp-angled profiles, a feature guaranteed exclusively by laser welding in which it is the world market leader.
The laser can be used to shape profiles by creating ad hoc geometries or to cut sheets to size and then compose more complex profiles.
This high-precision welding process, which uses laser light to join parts without the addition of material, is particularly suitable for welding high-quality steels and producing precision parts, thanks to the weld bead radius of less than 2 mm.
The laser light is focused on a small area of the material, which enables more precise positioning of the weld and prevents overheating of the surrounding material, making laser welding ideal for manufacturing parts with tight tolerances and high precision.
Due to the high precision and low thermal impact of the laser welding process, the material remains unchanged and does not undergo deformation or other alterations.
In summary, the profile components fused together are predominantly laser or plasma cut flat strips, but can also be other solid profiles such as round, square, or finished hollow profiles such as pipes.
Virtually all commercially available mild, carbon, and stainless steels can be welded, and monolithic welds up to 25 mm deep are possible, a technology suitable for a variety of applications.
What kind of profiles met the demands for this project?
The profiles used for the glazing that makes up the entrance of Bonnet Tower have unique characteristics:
The S235JR carbon steel profiles have a staggered strip on one side, on which glass or sometimes environmental LEDs can be mounted, or even just used for aesthetic purposes because of its unique shape.
On the other side, the profiles have sharp corners manufactured by laser welding technology.
The customer needed different thicknesses between the flanges and ribs, a customization that greatly improves the structural properties of the profile.
In conclusion, Montanstahl has demonstrated extensive experience in producing high-quality products for the specific needs of complex, advanced projects.
Contact us for a free consultation and to learn about all our technologies and capabilities.