North side spaces

Milan is insufferably hot in the summer. It was a shock to me when I moved here in June 2025. Like most of Europe, the buildings are made to keep heat in and because the humidity is surprisingly high I found it harder to adapt than anywhere I’ve ever been, including Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. In addition the endless cars (Italy has one of the highest rates of car ownership and usage in Europe) and exposed concrete ensure that the urban heat island effect is maximised.

Despite this, Via Teodosio & Via Ponzio, densely tree-lined and running north to south through the school, is a microcosm of what’s possible even in the center of this. The street is noticeably darker than others. Mosses have come to grow as a photosynthetic compass marking the shady north side of every tree. Mosses (bryophytes) are one of the most primitive plants we have. They don’t have vascular tissues so they are dependent on being connected to each other, to water, on being sheltered, and not being disturbed.