Carlo Ratti withdraws from MIND project in Milan over design changes

Architect and urbanist Carlo Ratti has withdrawn from the MIND (Milano Innovation District) project, citing unauthorized modifications by Milan's Landscape Commission. Ratti, director of the Senseable City Lab at MIT and curator of the Venice Architecture Biennale, stated that the commission "took the pencil out of the designers' hands," reducing green spaces and altering facade designs. The project, located on the former Expo 2015 site in Rho, is a public-private partnership between Arexpo and real estate multinational Lendlease. It aims to create an innovation district centered on the University of Milan's science campus, with over 23,000 students, researchers, and staff. Companies like Astrazeneca, Illumina, Rold, and Bio4dreams, along with training centers such as Valore Italia, have shown interest. Ratti's studio, CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati, had designed the project based on five courtyards inspired by Italian and European universities, particularly Milan's Ca' Granda. The commission's changes, according to Ratti, replaced a large central garden with an empty area and modified the facades. The withdrawal, first reported by Corriere della Sera, exacerbates the commission's scandal over alleged urban planning abuses. Critics warn of a trend toward concrete-heavy redevelopment in Milan, citing similar issues at Piazza San Babila, Piazzale Loreto, Piazza Cordusio, and Parco Romana. Construction is scheduled to conclude by end of 2027.