Viridea Garden Center

Viridea Garden Center in Carate Brianza brings exposed timber to the familiar glasshouse form. Opened in February 2026, the centre transforms a former industrial site along State Road 36, north of Milan, into a destination for plants, gardening and outdoor living.

Designed by Viridea’s Design Department, the building is arranged beneath a series of staggered pitched roofs, with glazing bringing daylight into the customer areas. The program combines horticultural retail and an outdoor nursery with Puro Café, PuraBrace Grill House and supporting offices. A 16,000 m² landscaped park, including a pond and children’s play areas, extends the visitor experience beyond the building.

StructureCraft provided structural engineering for the above-grade structure and supported Rabensteiner through detailed design, procurement and construction. The scope included connection design, digital fabrication models, fabrication and assembly drawings, and structural site reviews, carrying the engineering through to production and installation.

Fixed-base steel columns support glulam roof beams and timber purlins, maintaining open circulation through the main sales areas. Roof bracing transfers lateral loads to the columns, while insulated roof panels and glazed surfaces complete the enclosure. The exposed timber gives the large retail spaces a material character closely connected to the plants and garden products on display.

Pietro Vinco da Sesso, StructureCraft’s Structural Engineering Director and project lead, describes the approach:

“Where greenhouse structures are traditionally realized in steel or aluminum with extensive glazing, here the introduction of timber elements brings a warmer and more welcoming atmosphere, aligning the technical performance of the building with the natural qualities of the products on display.”