From Industrial Heritage to Urban Culture Hub

This diploma project, ‘From Industrial Heritage to Urban Culture Hub’, proposes the regeneration of the abandoned Innocenti factory in Milan’s Lambrate District. Once a symbol of Italy’s industrial legacy, the site lies derelict but holds great cultural value. Situated near major transport hubs and adjacent to the future Scala Theatre site and Lambretta Park, the project aims to reactivate this linear 75m x 310m structure through green extension, functional aggregation, and human interaction. By integrating landscape design with Milan’s 2030 urban renewal plan, the factory transforms into a vibrant “mini city” hosting performance, sports, creative, activity, and reading spaces. Inspired by Kevin Lynch’s urban theory, the internal street system introduces paths, plazas, and elevated air corridors to enhance connectivity, orientation, and public engagement. Retaining the historic facades and structural frames, the design respects heritage while introducing flexible structural systems for adaptive reuse. The project highlights regeneration as a sustainable alternative to demolition or abandonment, preserving industrial memory while fostering cultural and social revitalization.