Façade nearing completion at Porte dei Laghi shopping centre refurbishment in Rescaldina, Milan

Construction on phase one of the Porte dei Laghi shopping centre refurbishment in Rescaldina, Milan, is now approaching full completion, with the centre’s restyled façades now undergoing finishing touches.

The colourful façade design creates an external representation of the centre's various interior zones, helping to unify the interior and exterior spaces with the surrounding landscape.

Phase one of the refurbishment, designed by Chapman Taylor’s Milan studio for Auchan, was focused on transforming two galleries and two plazas. The interior galleries, systems, parking as well as horizontal and vertical paths were all renovated.

The design of the new spaces – the blue ‘Water Gallery’ and the green ‘Mountain Gallery’ – make it seem as if the natural colours and elements of the surrounding environment enter through the doors – this effect is a key focal point and symbol of the renewed development.

Phase two will create a 25,600m² extension building containing two new malls and piazzas – the ‘Forest’ and ‘Air’ galleries. A treetop pedestrian walkway through the adjacent grove of trees on one side of the centre will bring visitors in at first floor-level to the Forest gallery.

Construction of the extension building is set to start in autumn 2019.