The Gioia 22 Tower in Milan Relies on Hydrophobic Glass Coating
The Gioia 22 Tower is one of the most modern construction projects in Milan – an imposing skyscraper with over 35,000 m² of glass facade.
Beyond its architectural impact, the building also posed functional demands in terms of maintenance, longevity and sustainability.
The decision in favour of nano glass refinement with the nanopool® glass coating demonstrates how glass can be refined with nanotechnology to reduce the long-term cleaning effort of the glass facade.
The Challenge: Glass in the Urban Environment
Large-scale glass facades look modern, but they are maintenance-intensive in everyday use. In cities like Milan, dirt, exhaust fumes, pollen and limescale quickly settle on glass surfaces. This makes cleaning particularly difficult for tall buildings – due to:
- frequent cleaning cycles
- complex access and high-altitude work
- high consumption of cleaning agents and water
The Solution: nanopool® Glass Coating with Nanotechnology
During the construction of Gioia 22, the glass facade was treated with a hydrophobic glass coating from Nanopool® – under the supervision of our Italian partner APC – Vetroliquido. The project was carried out for the renowned facade specialist Permasteelisa and underscores the high performance standards achieved with this technology.
The NP® glass refinement is based on an ultra-thin silicon dioxide layer (SiO₂) that bonds with the surface at the molecular level.
The treated surface remains visually unchanged, but becomes water- and dirt-repellent – entirely in keeping with the principle of the “lotus effect”.
Properties of the nano glass refinement:
- Hydrophobic & oleophobic – liquids simply bead off
- Crystal clear & breathable – no visual impact
- UV-resistant & durable – no yellowing
- Material-friendly – protects without a sealing layer
Application with a Focus on Sustainability and Efficiency
By choosing the nano glass refinement from nanopool®, the Gioia 22 Tower opted for a modern solution aimed at a long-term reduction of the cleaning effort for glass facades.
The goal of this technology is to reduce the adhesion of dirt, dust and moisture on glass surfaces, so that cleaning intervals can be optimised and cleaning agents reduced.
Sustainability Begins with the Right Surface Solution
The decision in favour of nano glass refinement is based on the goal of reducing maintenance effort, resource consumption and environmental impact – without compromising the aesthetics or function of the glass facade.
Thanks to the hydrophobic properties of the nanopool® glass coating, glass surfaces can be cleaned more easily and maintained with fewer chemicals – an approach that is regarded in many projects as a contribution to more sustainable building operation.
Conclusion: Technological Added Value for Modern Architecture
The Gioia 22 Tower is a powerful example of how nano glass refinement can become part of sustainable building strategies.
The combination of aesthetics, efficiency and environmental awareness makes the hydrophobic glass coating from nanopool® a forward-looking solution for glass facades in urban environments.