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Techbau and DAStU: Conclude the Advanced Training Programme “Datascapes: Logistics, Design, Innovation”

Milan, Italy – 25 February 2026 – The closing event of the first edition of the Honours Programme “Datascapes: Logistics, Design, Innovation” will take place on 26 and 27 February at the CRAFT Competence Centre of the Politecnico di Milano (via Ampère 20, building 11B). The programme is promoted by Techbau S.p.A., the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) and the AUIC School of the Politecnico di Milano.

The Honours Programme, focused on the design of data centres and the regeneration of disused or underutilised logistics assets, was held at the Leonardo Campus from October 2025 to January 2026 and involved 20 selected Master’s degree students, whose participation was supported by Techbau scholarships.

Andrea Campioli – Dean of the AUIC School: “Honours programmes offer students of the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering the opportunity to engage with challenging design themes, firmly grounded in the real processes that drive the transformation of the built environment and closely connected to the research activities carried out within the departments. In particular, the honours programme ‘Architecture and Integrated Design of Data Centers’, promoted by Techbau, involved students in a project experience characterised by a high level of conceptual and technological complexity. The programme was based on careful consideration of environmental sustainability, the relationship between architecture and urban development strategies, the interdependence between buildings and infrastructure networks, and the relationship between form, space and emerging functions.“

The 200-hour programme combined theoretical lectures and design workshops with case study analysis and simulations based on operational scenarios, complemented by meetings with industry professionals and institutional stakeholders. Among the educational activities, particular significance was given to the technical site visit to the Equinix data center in Settimo Milanese, which provided students with direct exposure to real-world data center design and construction processes, as well as to the opportunities associated with the regeneration of existing industrial areas.

On that occasion, Emanuela Grandi, Managing Director of Equinix Italy, and Davide Giovenzana, Construction Director of Equinix Italy, outlined the key site selection criteria — including geological stability, urban planning compatibility, energy availability and connectivity — and illustrated the practical implementation of brownfield redevelopment projects, such as the ML7x campus developed by Techbau on former Italtel industrial areas, where land consumption was reduced through the vertical expansion of the buildings.

Andrea Marchiori – CEO Techbau S.p.A.: “Investing in the education of young professionals means preparing the next generation to interpret and shape the evolution of digital infrastructure. Today, data centers must be seamlessly integrated into existing urban contexts: the reuse of brownfield sites enables the development of new infrastructure without additional land consumption, requiring continuous dialogue between architecture, technology and energy efficiency. Our collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano has enabled students to engage with real-world case studies and the operational complexity of projects, developing competencies that are directly transferable to the professional environment.“

The programme was further enriched by seminars delivered by leading industry experts, including Mario Buscaini (Techbau), Davide Giovenzana (Equinix), Cino Zucchi (CZA), Alberto Caccia (Lombardini22), Claudia Orsetti and Caterina Micucci (Atelier Atollo), Valeria Migliori and Andrea Migliarese Caputi (Arup Italia), Gianandrea Ciaramella (Politecnico di Milano – DABC) and Filippo Orsini (Politecnico di Milano – DAStU).

Carolina Pacchi – Director of DAStU: “Digital infrastructure poses direct challenges to the discipline of urban planning and to the design of the contemporary city. Due to their scale, energy impact and location, data centers require an integrated vision that brings together planning, architecture and environmental sustainability. With ‘Datascapes’, DAStU faculty have promoted a programme that integrates research and teaching, offering students the opportunity to engage with real-world case studies and the territorial implications of the digital transition. Through collaborations such as this, universities can strengthen their role in guiding processes of informed and responsible innovation.“

The organisation and teaching activities were coordinated by Chiara Nifosì, together with colleagues Jacopo Leveratto and Valerio Tolve, with the support of doctoral tutors Mattia Tettoni, Davide Simoni and Alessandra Bruno.

Chiara Nifosì – DAStU – Coordinator of the Honours Programme: “This programme served as an advanced design laboratory focused on a highly strategic topic such as data centers. Students worked in close dialogue with industry professionals and technical experts, engaging with real-world constraints and the technical and regulatory complexity that characterises such infrastructure. The synergy between university and industry is essential to prepare designers capable of addressing the challenges of the digital and environmental transition.“

The closing days will be held as part of the international conference “Datascapes. Exploring the Spatiality of Digital Infrastructures”, promoted by the CRAFT-DAStU Competence Centre (ProduAction pilot project) and Techbau. The event will bring together faculty and students, local administrators, researchers and industry professionals to discuss urban planning policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as architectural innovation in the field of data centers. Keynote speakers will include Negar Sanaan Bensi (TU Delft), Cécile Diguet (Studio Dégel), Marina Otero Verzier (Harvard GSD) and Chris Patience (Grimshaw Architects).

The final presentations will address case studies related to the design of digital infrastructure and the adaptive reuse of existing logistics assets, with a focus on strategies aimed at sustainability and urban integration.

The initiative is set within an international context characterised by the growing demand for digital infrastructure and the need to integrate technological innovation, sustainability and urban regeneration. Through this collaboration, Techbau and the Politecnico di Milano reaffirm their commitment to advancing research, training the next generation of professionals and promoting a forward-looking model of responsible growth.

Techbau and DAStU: Conclude the Advanced Training Programme “Datascapes: Logistics, Design, Innovation”

Milan, Italy – 25 February 2026 – The closing event of the first edition of the Honours Programme “Datascapes: Logistics, Design, Innovation” will take place on 26 and 27 February at the CRAFT Competence Centre of the Politecnico di Milano (via Ampère 20, building 11B). The programme is promoted by Techbau S.p.A., the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) and the AUIC School of the Politecnico di Milano.

The Honours Programme, focused on the design of data centres and the regeneration of disused or underutilised logistics assets, was held at the Leonardo Campus from October 2025 to January 2026 and involved 20 selected Master’s degree students, whose participation was supported by Techbau scholarships.

Andrea Campioli – Dean of the AUIC School: “Honours programmes offer students of the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering the opportunity to engage with challenging design themes, firmly grounded in the real processes that drive the transformation of the built environment and closely connected to the research activities carried out within the departments. In particular, the honours programme ‘Architecture and Integrated Design of Data Centers’, promoted by Techbau, involved students in a project experience characterised by a high level of conceptual and technological complexity. The programme was based on careful consideration of environmental sustainability, the relationship between architecture and urban development strategies, the interdependence between buildings and infrastructure networks, and the relationship between form, space and emerging functions.“

The 200-hour programme combined theoretical lectures and design workshops with case study analysis and simulations based on operational scenarios, complemented by meetings with industry professionals and institutional stakeholders. Among the educational activities, particular significance was given to the technical site visit to the Equinix data center in Settimo Milanese, which provided students with direct exposure to real-world data center design and construction processes, as well as to the opportunities associated with the regeneration of existing industrial areas.

On that occasion, Emanuela Grandi, Managing Director of Equinix Italy, and Davide Giovenzana, Construction Director of Equinix Italy, outlined the key site selection criteria — including geological stability, urban planning compatibility, energy availability and connectivity — and illustrated the practical implementation of brownfield redevelopment projects, such as the ML7x campus developed by Techbau on former Italtel industrial areas, where land consumption was reduced through the vertical expansion of the buildings.

Andrea Marchiori – CEO Techbau S.p.A.: “Investing in the education of young professionals means preparing the next generation to interpret and shape the evolution of digital infrastructure. Today, data centers must be seamlessly integrated into existing urban contexts: the reuse of brownfield sites enables the development of new infrastructure without additional land consumption, requiring continuous dialogue between architecture, technology and energy efficiency. Our collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano has enabled students to engage with real-world case studies and the operational complexity of projects, developing competencies that are directly transferable to the professional environment.“

The programme was further enriched by seminars delivered by leading industry experts, including Mario Buscaini (Techbau), Davide Giovenzana (Equinix), Cino Zucchi (CZA), Alberto Caccia (Lombardini22), Claudia Orsetti and Caterina Micucci (Atelier Atollo), Valeria Migliori and Andrea Migliarese Caputi (Arup Italia), Gianandrea Ciaramella (Politecnico di Milano – DABC) and Filippo Orsini (Politecnico di Milano – DAStU).

Carolina Pacchi – Director of DAStU: “Digital infrastructure poses direct challenges to the discipline of urban planning and to the design of the contemporary city. Due to their scale, energy impact and location, data centers require an integrated vision that brings together planning, architecture and environmental sustainability. With ‘Datascapes’, DAStU faculty have promoted a programme that integrates research and teaching, offering students the opportunity to engage with real-world case studies and the territorial implications of the digital transition. Through collaborations such as this, universities can strengthen their role in guiding processes of informed and responsible innovation.“

The organisation and teaching activities were coordinated by Chiara Nifosì, together with colleagues Jacopo Leveratto and Valerio Tolve, with the support of doctoral tutors Mattia Tettoni, Davide Simoni and Alessandra Bruno.

Chiara Nifosì – DAStU – Coordinator of the Honours Programme: “This programme served as an advanced design laboratory focused on a highly strategic topic such as data centers. Students worked in close dialogue with industry professionals and technical experts, engaging with real-world constraints and the technical and regulatory complexity that characterises such infrastructure. The synergy between university and industry is essential to prepare designers capable of addressing the challenges of the digital and environmental transition.“

The closing days will be held as part of the international conference “Datascapes. Exploring the Spatiality of Digital Infrastructures”, promoted by the CRAFT-DAStU Competence Centre (ProduAction pilot project) and Techbau. The event will bring together faculty and students, local administrators, researchers and industry professionals to discuss urban planning policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as architectural innovation in the field of data centers. Keynote speakers will include Negar Sanaan Bensi (TU Delft), Cécile Diguet (Studio Dégel), Marina Otero Verzier (Harvard GSD) and Chris Patience (Grimshaw Architects).

The final presentations will address case studies related to the design of digital infrastructure and the adaptive reuse of existing logistics assets, with a focus on strategies aimed at sustainability and urban integration.

The initiative is set within an international context characterised by the growing demand for digital infrastructure and the need to integrate technological innovation, sustainability and urban regeneration. Through this collaboration, Techbau and the Politecnico di Milano reaffirm their commitment to advancing research, training the next generation of professionals and promoting a forward-looking model of responsible growth.

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