How Cork Inspire Shapes the Isokinetic Clinic Experience at Piazza Gae Aulenti
Interview with the architect Giacomo Dalla Villa
BlogIn this interview, the architect Giacomo Della Villa talks about the lsokinetic clinic in Milan, located in the Piazza Gae Aulenti - a symbol of contemporary Milan. Located in the city’s Porta Nuova business district the clinic was conceived with the aim of promoting state-of-the-art sports medicine. It is a space of excellence for sports rehabilitation. Cork Inspire flooring was chosen to offer users a sensation of comfort, safety and feeling at home.
How did the idea for lsokinetic come about and what was your role in the project?
It all began with Dr Stefano Della Villa, the founder of Isokinetic, who trained with one of the pioneers of isokinetic technology in the United States - a physiotherapist who had been working for 35 years with the San Francisco 49ers, one of the top teams of the NFL. When he returned to Italy, he realized the huge technological difference with the USA, with Italy standing light years behind in terms of isokinetics - a rehabilitation methodology based on muscle movements at constant speed, regardless of the force applied by the individual.
Determined to change this situation, Stefano invested in the American technology and founded Isokinetic, starting from scratch. I joined forces with him, and working as architect and manager, respectively, we did everything with our own hands, from painting the walls of the first clinic to administrative management. We have always maintained our principal focus on patient comfort and health.
Today, lsokinetic has 10 FIFA-certified clinics, primarily in Italy, complemented by units in London and Greece, and a research unit that reinforces our commitment to the science of controlled movement. Our mission is to help athletes prevent serious injuries, both in training and in competition. The Milan clinic, for example, is located on the first floor of one of the towers in the Piazza Gae Aulenti, one of the city's most emblematic public squares, that offers a view of the fountain and the surrounding green terraces, creating a natural and welcoming atmosphere.
What factors influenced the choice of materials and the design of the flooring?
We had several priorities for the flooring. We were looking for a natural material, that is anti-allergenic, easy to clean and sustainable. We also wanted to create a comfortable environment where people feel at home, different from the usual flooring solutions used in large hospitals. This flooring is pleasant to the touch, and is soft even when barefoot or wearing training shoes, something that we notice as soon as we enter the space.
In addition, there was the obligatory safety requirement: the flooring solution needed to have a Class B fire classification. This is essential given that this is a tower that prioritizes the safety of patients and all occupants.
Another important point was versatility. The cork flooring is odor-free, offers a wide range of colors and dimensions, and adapts to both residential and high-traffic environments.
What has been the user experience and feedback?
We’ve had extremely positive feedback, both from professionals who work in the clinics and patients who use the spaces. They realize the comfort and quality of the materials and also notice that every detail has been carefully planned to ensure the best possible environment.
We believe that the flooring solution has a direct influence on the rehabilitation experience, promoting a sensation of well-being, safety and a welcoming experience for users.
What recommendations would you give to other architects in relation to the use of cork?
I would definitely recommend this type of flooring and use of cork. It's a versatile, comfortable, aesthetically appealing and sustainable material - a combination that is increasingly valued in modern projects.
Cork has tremendous potential in different types of projects - such as clinics, schools, sports centers, homes and even in interior design for restaurants and hotels. It's a material that opens up creative possibilities for any architect.
“Cork has tremendous potential in different types of projects. It's a material that opens up creative possibilities for any architect”
How does cork align with your vision of sustainability and innovation for the future?
The clinic has a Green Room, where we use artificial grass to simulate sports fields. We know that from 2026 onwards the use of PVC will be restricted, and cork has already been certified by FIFA as a sustainable alternative. We are running tests to ensure that the solution offers the best possible performance. If these results are positive, cork will also be used in our Green Room.
For us, it’s essential to proceed on a sustainable basis. We are constantly looking for new materials that can replace those with the greatest environmental impact and thereby reduce our carbon footprint. This is our philosophy and our vision for the future - to use niche products, aligned with our clients' values.
Cork has a very promising future. For an architect, it allows creativity to extend beyond flooring, since it can be applied in a variety of architectural and decorative solutions. It is important that the designer knows and falls in love with the material, in order to use it in the best possible way.
About Giacomo Della Villa
With over 35 years' experience, Giacomo Della Villa is a Bologna-based architect and founder of the GDV Design studio. Driven by an enduring passion for architecture, he has specialized in the refurbishment sector and views each project as an opportunity to exercise creativity and embrace new challenges.
His professional career is marked by extensive experience in rehabilitation clinic projects, but his portfolio also includes villas, restaurants and private spaces.
Giacomo believes in a global approach to architecture and is always looking for solutions that combine functionality and aesthetics, adapted to each client’s specific needs.
His work combines contemporary aesthetics with functionality, adopting a personalized approach focused on context and people, that is distinguished by the balance between innovation and respect for the identity of each place.
About Isokinetic
Isokinetic is an international medical group founded in 1987 and recognized as a FIFA Medical Center of Excellence. The network has 10 clinics between Italy, Greece and the UK. In Italy the clinics are Bologna, Milan City Center, Milan Navigli, Milan Gae Aulenti, Rome, Turin, Verona, Rimini, plus the Virtual Plus online clinic. Isokinetic employs more than 200 professionals, including doctors, re-educators, administrative staff and managers.
Specializing in sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation, lsokinetic treats more than 16,000 patients a year, with around 225,000 treatments, offering personalized courses in prevention, care and functional recovery. The approach combines technological innovation with attention to the individual, with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to health based on controlled movement.