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Planning development - new build standards

Università IULM builds new buildings and renovates its infrastructure to sustainable standards, ensuring that both new construction and heritage restorations are aligned with environmental efficiency and resilience. These commitments are embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which prioritizes the reduction of the campus’s ecological footprint through:

  • the extension of photovoltaic coverage on additional buildings, increasing the share of self-produced renewable energy;
  • energy efficiency interventions to reduce electricity and gas consumption;
  • water-saving technologies and awareness campaigns to promote responsible resource use;

Cascina Moncucco – sustainable heritage restoration
An exemplary project is the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, a 17th-century farmhouse transformed into a student residence and cultural hub. The project achieved LEED Silver certification, reflecting high standards of environmental performance. Specific measures include:

  • 50% reduction in potable water consumption through low-flow fixtures;
  • a 90 m³ rainwater collection system, which eliminates the use of potable water for irrigation;
  • significant energy efficiency upgrades to the building envelope and systems, introduced while preserving historical integrity.

This project illustrates IULM’s ability to combine heritage conservation with sustainable building practices, creating spaces that are both culturally valuable and environmentally responsible.

IULM 8 – future-oriented sustainable development
In line with the Strategic Plan, IULM is planning the construction of IULM 8, a new building designed according to the sustainable standards of the Municipality of Milan. It will feature:

  • expanded photovoltaic capacity, increasing renewable energy production;
  • intelligent systems for lighting, air conditioning, and space management;
  • interventions to reduce energy and gas consumption across operations;
  • advanced water-saving systems integrated with awareness campaigns.

Campus-wide outcomes
The university’s efforts are already producing measurable results:

  • in 2024 the total electricity consumption of the campus decreased by 9.5% compared to 2023;
  • in the same period, gas consumption decreased by 5.2%, despite a colder winter, demonstrating improved energy management and system efficiency;
  • with the planned expansion of photovoltaic systems across additional campus buildings, solar energy production is expected to increase by 17%, raising the share of clean, self-produced electricity.

Strategic impact
By embedding sustainability into its strategic governance and delivering projects such as Cascina Moncucco and IULM 8, the university demonstrates a systemic approach to infrastructure. These initiatives not only reduce emissions and resource consumption but also serve as a model for integrating heritage preservation, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

Through these efforts, IULM strengthens its role as a laboratory of sustainable urban development, by creating resilient, efficient, and inclusive urban environments.