The ‘free thinking’ Fabio Novembre: The architect behind AC Milan’s headquarters

‘’In 1984, architecture was one of the university courses where there was a good balance between science and humanity subjects, which allowed me to come out as a free thinker,’’ says the 57-year-old Novembre. ‘’Then I went to New York City to study filmmaking, which heavily influenced my architecture career and ideas.’’ 

Novembre’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in the idea that design is a natural human aptitude. He believes that humans are the only animals capable of altering their surroundings to suit their needs rather than merely adapting to them. ‘’I believe that life is primarily a matter of aligning priorities, and perhaps doing design is just that. Life itself is a real source of inspiration, and life is made up of people, images, sounds, and spaces that you inevitably filter through your sensibility. Design is my personal reaction to all this.’’ 

Casa Milan

One of Novembre’s most notable projects is Casa Milan, the headquarters of the famous AC Milan football club. It’s the club he has always supported since childhood. The design of this building encapsulates the essence of football as more than just a sport but a medium of emotional expression. “Football is not only action but a real propagation of a message. The bearer of this message is the human being and his figure is at the centre.” 

The building features the profiles of famous AC Milan players in motion on its sloping front side, making it a memorable and nostalgic space. The Museum within Casa Milan is another testament to his innovative approach, with sections like the Champions Gallery and the Trophy Room creating an immersive experience for visitors. “Man, motion and emotion are the three keywords that best describe it and stand as the building’s manifesto,” Novembre explains.

In addition to his architectural endeavors, Novembre ventured into designing the jerseys for AC Milan’s 2016/2017 season. His inspiration for the design came from Herbert Kilpin’s words, the founder of AC Milan: “We will be a team of devils. Our colours will be red as blood and black as the fear we will instil in our opponents.” The kit design had an unusual choice compared to the style that was seen the previous seasons. ‘’Red symbolized the colour of blood, and indeed if red does not fade, it drains.’’ 

The new ‘San Siro’

Novembre also participated in a competition to design the new stadium of AC Milan. Not all AC Milan fans are enthusiastic about the prospect of leaving San Siro, but the architect feels differently. ‘’I have never been a nostalgic person. The current San Siro is very different from its original facility, so it was important for us to express new concepts and create new icons.’’ 

Collaborating with Boeri Architetti, Arup, and Balich Wonder Studio, Novembre aimed to create an urban stadium. ‘’We wanted to have a ground floor that was alive every day to ensure areas for sharing and entertainment. We wanted to welcome people first, not necessarily fans.’’ 

Padel

Currently, Novembre is working on the Atlante Arena in Milan’s CityLife district, a pioneering architecture project dedicated to padel. This project aims to balance the diverse architectural styles of the modern neighbourhood of Milan while creating a visually striking structure that blends with the environment. The 12-meter-high structure will contain seven padel courts.  “The feeling we wanted to evoke in the visitor is that of an object that is striking in its lightness and elegance, turning into a lantern in the park at night,” Novembre describes.

‘’I’m extremely excited about the opening of the Atlante Arena construction site,’’ says the architect. ‘’It’s a unique opportunity to transform the urban landscape of Milan, creating a space that is not only a meeting place for sporting events but also a symbol of innovation and creativity for the city in which I have chosen to live.’’