CityWave Milan by BIG – Geoplast reduces concrete and improves water resilience

BIG’s CityWave is a 2-tower office complex connected by a curved roof in CityLife, Milan, Italy. Geoplast’s Modulo and Elevetor Max are used for lighter raised floors, and Aquabox handles stormwater drainage.

Bjarke Ingels Group designed the 10 and 20 storey towers with a 200 m connecting solar roof. With 11.000m2 of solar tiles, it is expected to generate about 1,300 MWh per year. Gardens and pedestrian paths sit under the roof’s 140 m suspended section. CMB and Colombo Costruzioni began construction in September 2023, with completion scheduled for March 2027.

Modulo and Elevetor Max create lighter foundations with less concrete

Modulo, a 100% recycled plastic formwork, covered 3,865 m² on levels L00 and L01. Modulo forms concrete pillars and a thin slab, reducing the concrete and fill needed. The void below the slabs leaves space for plumbing and electrical services.

Elevetor Max raised floor formwork covered 1,260 m² where the voids had to be taller. Adjustable PVC pipes set precise slab heights across the site. This flexibility helped meet floor-height requirements while limiting the need for structural fill.

Aquabox improves water resilience by managing stormwater

Alongside the raised floors, Aquabox provided 430 m³ of underground drainage volume. Its 96% void ratio gives approximately 413 m³ of rainwater storage capacity. Water collects within the modules before infiltrating the ground or discharging gradually.

As a result, CityWave gets level floors, service voids, and drainage with less concrete and fill. This Geoplast innovation supports sustainable profitability for the contractor and the client.

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Modulo
Elevetor Max
Aquabox