Gobbi 1

In 1961, before the construction of the Bocconi Library building at Via Gobbi 5 began, construction of a church next to that location was started. Devoted to San Ferdinando, it was built by order of Donna Javotte Bocconi who wanted to pay homage to her father-in-law, the founder of the University. The church was consecrated in 1962 by Cardinal Montini and made available to the Archbishopric of Milan, although intended for the worship services of the Bocconi community. The project was entrusted to architect Ferdinando Reggiori, who was part of the group of "architetti novecentisti" led by Giovanni Muzio. On behalf of the Superintendence in Milan, he had directed the restoration work of many city monuments, including the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio after the bombings. Engineer Aldo Favini, who had collaborated with Muzio on the construction of the student residence in 1953 and would go on to work again with him on the project for the new Library building, was called to assist in the management of the works. 

The church is a single space in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners, whose reinforced concrete shell is externally covered with enveloping courses of antique terracotta and with roof edges in cement. The façade is covered by horizontal stripes of white and black marble (Bianco di Musso and Nero di Varenna), recreating a style similar to Pisan Gothic. 

The internal trim is characterized by a rich choice of decorative materials. In particular, the tabernacle stands out, adorned with a sliding panel decorated with colored enamels and depicting a pelican using its blood to extinguish the flames that threaten the nest of its young. There are also two altarpieces, one depicting episodes from the life of Saint Genevieve (work of the sculptor Natale Fazio), and the other sculpted by Milanese artist Vincenzo Gasperetti, portraying episodes from the life of the saintly king of Castile, Ferdinand III (1198-1252). 

In both altarpieces, some protagonists of the history of Bocconi and the construction of the church are recognizable in the faces portrayed: Armando Sapori, Rector from 1952 to 1967, Ferdinando Bocconi, the architect Reggiori, and Cardinal Giovanni Montini.