MILL – Manufacturing, Innovation, Learning, Logistics

Description

Once the heart of Varese’s manufacturing scene, the former Cotonificio Cantoni in Castellanza is being revitalized through a major urban regeneration project. The complex is a striking example of 19th-century industrial architecture; our approach focuses on preserving its heritage by restoring iconic features like the steel-framed windows and the landmark brick chimney. Across 53,000 sqm, the project turns a brownfield site into a high-tech hub, ideally positioned to draw investment given its strategic links to Milan.

The project was driven by Confindustria Varese, who saw the factory’s redevelopment as a powerful symbol for the future of local business. Placing their headquarters here creates a seamless connection with the adjacent LIUC University, sparking a collaboration between academia and industry. This synergy is captured in the name MILL – Manufacturing, Innovation, Learning, and Logistics – four pillars that turn the site into an integrated ecosystem where production and research thrive together.

Beyond the Confindustria offices, the scope includes a new University Campus to bolster the existing LIUC facilities, pairing architectural recovery with large-scale environmental restoration. The masterplan also revitalizes the Olona riverfront and addresses flood risk management, gifting the city a new public park and upgraded infrastructure. By introducing a new roundabout and dedicated cycling and pedestrian paths, the project champions green mobility, transforming the entire district into a benchmark for urban sustainability.