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Contractors working on the uniquely curved roof of a groundbreaking office and retail complex in Milan are counting on Potain cranes for their reliability and efficiency.
Developed jointly by commercial contractor CMB Capri (CMB) and Italian construction company Colombo Costruzioni, the new CityWave building has eight Potain cranes working on it, CMB Jobsite Director Enzo Macis explained.
“When we looked at crane planning, we weren’t focused as much on lifting capacity as we were on reliability and productivity,” he said.
“Of course, Potain is a world-leading tower crane brand so we were always confident in their performance, so then it became a question of selecting the right models that would work together as the project changed shape while construction advanced.”
“We needed to avoid interference, ensure operational reliability, and maintain optimal coverage of the site – not an easy task,” Enzo added.
CMB purchased a new Potain MDT 319 topless tower crane for the project, while Colombo purchased an MDT 219. Together, the companies combined these new models with a mix of Potain cranes from their existing fleets.
The two companies worked with Manitowoc’s specialist Lift Solutions team to develop a work plan and schedule to help the cranes work together for maximum productivity and minimal interference.
Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions team provided the necessary calculations for building anchorage, while the team in Italy handled the fabrication.
Two 10 tonne capacity MDT 219 cranes are anchored to the building, climbing it as work continues, using their full jib lengths of 60 metres; One of the units will eventually reach a working height of over 120m.
The second MDT 219 will reach a final working height of over 80 m, as will the 12 tonne capacity MDT 319, which is working with a 50m jib.
Project Manager at Colombo Costruzioni Stefano Crespi said that developing the crane layout with Manitowoc Lift Solutions was one of the most crucial parts of the jobsite planning.
“There was strong collaboration between us, CMB, and the Manitowoc Lift Solutions Team.
“We carefully planned the assembly and disassembly, as well as all climbing and lifting. Fitting a high density of cranes into a limited space is a logistical challenge, but we tailored solutions to fit every aspect of the site thanks to the versatility and advanced design of Potain cranes,” he said.
Upon completion, the CityWave building will be Platinum LEED certified; to reach LEED Platinum, the building must meet standards in six different categories, including: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design.
With its uniquely shaped curved roof standing 53m high, the mixed-use building will cover 366,000 square metres and will be covered with photovoltaic panels to create Milan’s largest solar power installation.
The cranes will remain on site until the end of construction, helping dismantle equipment before CityWave opens in time for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.