Liberskin Tower, Milan

The Libeskind Tower, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, stands 175 meters above the plaza level and 187 meters from the foundation, with 31 floors (3 underground and 28 elevated) totaling 53,000 sqm. The tower’s geometry resembles a section of a dome, with concave and convex sides formed by spheres of different radii. A central service core located asymmetrically in the lower half of the building also acts as a critical structural element. The architectural design required a structural system with spatial behavior, as vertical and horizontal resisting elements blend due to the tower’s curved shape, which generates significant torque. After exploring various materials, the final structure was a composite system of steel and concrete, anchored by a reinforced concrete core that supports the complex form and withstands lateral forces. The tower’s curved volume and façade create significant structural challenges, especially with the integration of 20 perimeter concrete pillars covered in steel. These columns form the primary load-bearing framework and are complemented by the central reinforced concrete core. A key feature of the tower is the concave façade to the south and the convex façade to the north, inspired by Renaissance domes. To manage the tower’s curved shape, the façade units, sized at 1500mm x 4100mm, are custom-designed to fit the toroidal and cylindrical geometries. The north façade is defined by a spindle-shaped toroid, while the south façade is cylindrical, with modified projections to reduce solar exposure. The east and west façades are created by radial planes cutting through the structure, all designed to balance aesthetics with the building’s structural needs. The top of the tower is crowned by a glass façade that completes the spherical architectural concept, enhancing the overall aesthetic and structural complexity. The façade construction required advanced techniques to accommodate the tower’s irregular geometry, with façade units differing in installation methods and components despite having similar performance requirements. The integration of various geometric shapes—spindle, cylinder, and radial planes—reduced the need for numerous unique panels, optimizing construction efficiency while maintaining the tower’s dynamic form. This approach, combined with its innovative structural and façade design, makes the TCC Tower a notable example of modern architectural engineering within the CityLife district of Milan. Ref: https://libeskind.com/work/central-tower-c/ https://redesco.it/en/projects/pwc-tower-in-citylife-development-milan/ https://blog.urbanfile.org/file/torre-libeskind-torre-pwc-curvo/ https://www.conteco.it/en/torre-tcc-libeskind https://landing.midasuser.com/en/application/libeskind_and_hadid_tower https://www.conteco.it/en/torre-tcc-libeskind https://re.public.polimi.it/retrieve/e0c31c10-311f-4599-e053-1705fe0aef77/JFDE_published_MRDG_ISSN.pdf