The CityWave project, designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, won an invitation-only competition involving six international studios. Milan’s revolutionary “lying skyscraper” represents an extraordinary engineering challenge that puts metalwork and photovoltaic integration at its core.
As experts in innovative metal solutions, at TrackDesign we recognise in this project a perfect example of how iron and steel can shape the future of sustainable architecture.
The Canopy: a suspended bridge in Steel and Wood
The beating heart of the CityWave project is its spectacular canopy, a structure that represents the excellence of modern metalwork. Designed as a suspended bridge between two pylons, this roof demonstrates how steel can be shaped to create bold and functional forms.
The load-bearing structure is made of high-strength steel cables, anchored to the main buildings, which support overlapping layers of wood.
This hybrid metal-wood solution guarantees not only structural strength and lightness, but also the flexibility needed to withstand wind stresses – a challenge we know well when we work with exposed metal structures.
Integrated Photovoltaics: 11,000 sq m of solar technology
What makes CityWave a truly cutting-edge project is the integration of 11,000 sq m of photovoltaic panels directly into the structure of the canopy. This surface, larger than a football pitch, will produce around 1.3 MWh per year, demonstrating how metalwork can become the ideal support for renewable energy technologies.
Using steel as a load-bearing structure for photovoltaics is an optimal solution for several reasons:
• Structural strength: steel guarantees the stability needed to support thousands of panels
• Durability: corrosion resistance ensures a long service life for the system
• Design flexibility: metal makes it possible to create complex forms optimised for solar exposure
Sustainability and performance: the future is metallic
The combination of metalwork and photovoltaics in CityWave is not only an aesthetic choice, but a concrete sustainability strategy. The powerful photovoltaic system, supported by the steel structure and combined with geothermal energy, will allow energy savings of 30-40% compared to buildings of equivalent volume.
In addition, the use of renewable energy sources will avoid the release into the atmosphere of around 400 tonnes of CO2 every year – the equivalent of what is absorbed by 15,000 trees. A result that shows how iron and steel working, when geared towards sustainable innovation, can actively contribute to the fight against climate change.
Projects like CityWave inspire our daily work at TrackDesign. Our experience in metalwork allows us to understand the technical and engineering challenges behind projects of this complexity. From structural design to iron working, from the creation of supports for photovoltaic systems to the making of bespoke architectural elements, we know how to turn steel into solutions that combine functionality and aesthetics.
CityWave represents a paradigm for contemporary architecture, where metalwork is not only a load-bearing structure, but becomes a support for advanced and sustainable technologies. The integration of steel and photovoltaics opens new frontiers for the construction of the future, demonstrating how iron working can be at the service of innovation and environmental sustainability.
For us, this project confirms our vision: metal is not only a building material, but a tool to build a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
Contact us to develop your new production, logistics or commercial space together: we offer you a tailored, high-performance solution that is ready for the future.
