Bocconi 12

The first University student residence was inaugurated on 29 November 1956 in the presence of the Cardinal of Milan, Giovanni Montini (future Pope Paul VI). 

In 1953 the design of the building was entrusted to Giovanni Muzio, architect from the Novecento artistic movement. He was already well-known for his many projects, including Milan’s Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Ca' Brutta on Via Moscova. On this occasion, Muzio departed from his own stylistic preferences, paying homage to rationalist Giuseppe Pagano, in an ideal continuity with the architect who had preceded him. 

The student residence building is clad in litho-ceramic (clinker) and is composed of two Y-shaped structures, a shape chosen by Muzio because it allowed for socialization in the central common areas with the rooms arranged along the three corners. Originally, the two buildings were separated by a wall – one side for women (towards Piazza Sraffa), and the other for men (towards Via Bocconi). The facility offered 360 single rooms and a canteen, divided for university staff and students, with table service. 

During the 1970s two important changes occurred: the wall separating the women's side from the men's side was torn down – also unifying the entrances – and the canteen became self-service.