100% organic cultivation of the Freisa grape vine on the terraces.
Urban co-living
Charterhouse 2.0: A new model for growth
Vitae proposes a model of advanced urban co-living in the tradition of Abbeys and Carthusian Charterhouses, and identifies the Porta Romana area in Milan for the revival of social and urban harmony. For centuries, Carthusian Charterhouses and Abbeys have been major cultural reference points in Italy and Europe, dedicated to the study and conservation of knowledge as well as invention and research; they would provide their communities not only with spiritual, but also material nourishment thanks to a generous agricultural production.
This mutually beneficial model is the inspiration for the Vitae project, which aims to bring the Charterhouse spirit back into the urban fabric of Milan through a permeable, sustainable and innovative building open to the community.
The green spiral
Seasonal greenhouse
Green Framework
Ascending parks
The green spiral, an open and natural walkway
Vitae’s distinctive, sweeping spiral walkway connects the square to the building’s rooftop, ascending through its terraces. A unique landscape that combines architecture, agriculture and nature. This integrated system of vegetation and viticulture system hosts health and wellness activities (running, skating and climbing, tai chi, yoga...), as well as the “Vendemmia nella Certosa” [Grape Harvest at the Charterhouse] event.
Clematis armandii [Evergreen clematis], Osmanthus fragrans [Sweet osmanthus] and Sarcococca humilis [Sweetbox].
To learn more about the botanical species and grapevines grown on site.
Inclusion of native plant species to help maintain biodiversity.
Inclusion of specific plants aimed at keeping pollinators in the area, such as bees, birds, and bats.
Green spaces:
Green Spiral
A grassy path featuring sweet-smelling, winter-flowering shrubs, which bloom while the grapevine is dormant.
Vineyard
The vineyard is paired with a flowering lawn and sentinel species. This enhances the biodiversity of the vineyard ecosystem and the organic nature of the vineyard itself, contributing to biological control. In Spring, Rosa alba [White rose of York] covers the pergola with its generous blooms.
Mixed shrubs
Mixed native berry shrubs with the typical colours of the countryside.
The flavours of wine
The flavours of wine inspire a collection of herbs that create a green backdrop for private terraces (Rosmarinus officinalis [Rosemary]- Salvia nemorosa [Woodland sage] - Salvia officinalis [Common sage] - Thymus serpyllum [Wild thyme]).
Plant species:
Shrubs
Cornus alba [White dogwood] – Cornus sanguinea [Common dogwood] - Corylus avellana [Common hazel]- Ligustrum vulgare [Wild privet] - Sambucus nigra [Elderberry]
Trees
Acer campestre [Field maple] - Carpinus betulus [European hornbeam] - Ulmus minor [Field elm] - Malus domestica ‘Evereste’ [‘Evereste’ apple tree]- Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardi’ [‘Pissardi’ cherry plum] - Fraxinus ornus [Manna ash]
Ground Covering
Euonymus fortunei ‘radicans’ [‘Radicans’ wintercreeper] - Geranium macrorrhizum [Cranesbill geranium] - Pachysandra terminalis [Japanese spurge] - Persicaria amplexicaulis [Mountain fleece]
Fruit Trees
Ficus carica ‘Passin’ [‘Passin’ common fig] - Prunus dasycarpa [Purple apricot] - Pyrus ‘Spadona estiva’ [‘Spadona Estiva’ pear tree] - Malus ‘Renetta rust’ [‘Renetta rust.’ Apple tree].
Perennials
Achillea millefolium [Yarrow] - Euonymus microphyllus [Microphyllus wintercreeper] - Perovskia atriplicifolia [Russian sage] - Salvia microphylla [Baby sage] - Verbena bonariensis [Purpletop vervain] - Veronica spicata [Speedwell]
Biophilic project
Knowledge and training
Vitae’s landscape has an important social, cultural and environmental role. It aims to promote and disseminate local knowledge by offering high-quality green spaces and educational itineraries. In this way Vitae contributes to the development of local natural and product knowledge.
The composition of green spaces:
Mitigation shrub belt
The trees and shrubs that stretch out toward the surrounding residential areas are distinctively native species, selected because they promote biodiversity and maintain the local ecosystems.
Orchard of forgotten plants
A cultural and practical space for the rediscovery and dissemination of Lombardy’s traditional fruit tree production.
Herbaceous borders and flowering lawn
Areas intended for relaxation and contemplation, themed with mixed perennial herbaceous or ground-covering borders, and extensive flowering lawns
Cultural itinerary
Visual project about the names of the resident botanical species, creating a playful and educational itinerary that promotes knowledge and stimulates curiosity about the local plant heritage.
A landmark development project in Milan.
Vitae operates in synergy with the Symbiosis business district, south of the Porta Romana. Together, they introduce a previously unimaginable model of the future.
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