Nano glass coating in action:

The Gioia 22 Tower in Milan relies on hydrophobic glass coating

The Gioia 22 Tower is one of the most advanced construction projects in Milan – an impressive skyscraper featuring over 35,000 m² of glass façade.
In addition to its architectural impact, the building also presented functional requirements in terms of maintenance, durability, and sustainability.
The decision to apply nano glass refinement using nanopool®’s glass coating shows how nanotechnology can enhance glass surfaces to reduce the long-term cleaning effort of large-scale façades.

 

The Challenge: Glass in urban environments
Large glass façades create a modern aesthetic, but they require considerable maintenance in everyday use.
In cities like Milan, dirt, exhaust fumes, pollen, and limescale quickly accumulate on glass surfaces. Cleaning high-rise buildings becomes particularly challenging due to:

  • frequent cleaning cycles
  • complex access and height-related work
  • high consumption of cleaning agents and water

 

The Solution: nanopool® glass coating with nanotechnology
During the construction of Gioia 22, the glass façade was treated with a hydrophobic glass coating from Nanopool®, under the supervision of our Italian partner APC – Vetroliquido. The project was carried out for the renowned façade specialist Permasteelisa, underlining the high-performance standards met by the technology.

The NP® glass refinement is based on an ultra-thin layer of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), which bonds with the surface at a molecular level.
The treated surface remains optically unchanged but becomes water- and dirt-repellent – following the principles of the “lotus effect”.

Key properties of the Nano glass coating:

  • Hydrophobic and oleophobic – liquids bead off the surface
  • Crystal clear and breathable – no optical alteration
  • UV-resistant and long-lasting – no yellowing over time
  • Material-friendly – protects without forming a sealing film

 

Application with a focus on sustainability and efficiency
By opting for nanopool’s nano glass coating, the Gioia 22 Tower implemented a forward-looking solution aimed at significantly reducing the cleaning effort associated with glass façades.
The objective of this technology is to minimise the adhesion of dirt, dust, and moisture on glass surfaces, allowing cleaning intervals to be extended and the use of cleaning agents to be reduced.

 

Sustainability begins with the right surface solution
The choice to use a nano glass refinement was guided by the goal of reducing maintenance effort, resource consumption, and environmental impact – without compromising the aesthetics or function of the façade.
Thanks to the hydrophobic properties of nanopool’s glass coating, glass surfaces can be cleaned more easily and with fewer chemicals – an approach increasingly recognised as a contribution to more sustainable building operations.

 

Conclusion: Technological value for contemporary architecture
The Gioia 22 Tower stands as a strong example of how nano glass refinement can become part of a sustainable building strategy.
Combining aesthetics, efficiency, and environmental awareness, nanopool®’s hydrophobic glass coating represents a forward-thinking solution for urban glass façades.