Futureproofing F&B: Vitae Milan

Vitae, a mixed-use scheme designed by Italian architects Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) in partnership with environmental experts Habitech, plans on growing its own greens for its futuristic catering space, using the latest horticultural tech.

Comprising some 10,000 m2 of commercial space, most of which will be occupied by state-of-the-art research teams in the fields of molecular and oncological science, Vitae – which means vine in Italian – wraps a green path for pedestrians around the building made from a vine-covered pergola that rises along the walls. People strolling through this green spiral will pass close to a series of terraces and greenhouses for urban farming and hydroponic cultivation.

Vitae will host a farm-to-table restaurant on the ground level named Horto, operated by CIR Food, an Italian restaurant co-operative. Designed exclusively for sustainable catering, the restaurant will operate with a zero kilometre approach, self-replenishing thanks to its hydroponic greenhouse and on-site garden technicians.

Winner of last year’s Reinventing Cities competition, promoted by C40, the scheme is located near the Prada Foundation in the city’s Porta Romana, one of Milan’s most exciting, innovative districts. The scheme is targeting LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certifications, with its green areas seeking to obtain top marks in the ‘BiodiverCity’ label. The project is due for delivery in 2022 with a budget of €40 mln.