Mind Innovation Week

On 9 May, during the Mind Innovation Week held at the MIND – Milano Innovation District (the former EXPO 2015 site at Rho Fiera), the multisector consortium Distretto 33 invited our company to join an in‑depth discussion on “The City of the Future”. This meeting offered a valuable opportunity to share how we are innovating our activities and how the timber‑construction sector is playing a crucial role in shaping tomorrow’s cities.

The Rise of Timber in Modern Construction

The timber‑construction sector has been expanding exponentially for several years. The figures are clear: there has been a 33 % increase compared with 2020, signalling significant acceleration. Timber building is no longer limited to detached or semi‑detached houses, nor to isolated, niche projects. Today, timber is at centre stage in the construction of genuine multi‑storey buildings, often apartment blocks within densely populated urban contexts.

This evolution is reflected in the growth of the built value per square metre and in the average size of buildings, demonstrating timber construction’s ability to tackle ever more complex, large‑scale projects. A positive trend is emerging in which multi‑storey timber buildings create a “new urban forest”, making a substantial contribution to the construction sector’s sustainable development and to mitigating climate‑change effects.

Sustainable Advantages and Superior Performance

Using timber as a building material is inherently more sustainable than concrete or masonry because the energy required in its production is far lower. Beyond eco‑friendliness, timber houses stand out for excellent thermal insulation and high energy performance. Another major advantage lies in construction times, reduced by 60 % compared with traditional methods, translating into lower costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

MIND: The Future of Innovation and Sustainability

This new construction paradigm fits perfectly with the vision of MIND – Milano Innovation District, an ambitious, world‑class biotech district rising on the vast EXPO 2015 grounds. MIND aims to boost sustainability in urban life and green mobility, becoming a city hub that fosters collaborative innovation, social inclusion and the trial of sustainable lifestyles. The goal is to generate civic, cultural and economic growth benefiting both the new neighbourhood and the wider Milan metropolitan area.

MIND’s construction cycle is estimated at 10 years, with a 99‑year concession for the public‑private partnership. Once fully operational in 2031, it is expected that 60,000 people will work and live at MIND, including more than 1,000 researchers. This impressive project is backed by a massive €4.5 billion investment in public and private funds.

An initiative of such scope goes far beyond mere technological innovation. For this reason, our company is proud to support and actively collaborate in this project, firmly believing in a progressively “greener” choice for a better future for forthcoming generations.