A reinforced concrete stage tower within a 18th-century masonry theater: The Municipal Theater of Bologna

The Municipal Theater is one of the main artistic symbols of Bologna. Although it is recognized worldwide for its musical history, its construction peculiarities are less known. The original building was designed by the architect Antonio Galli Bibiena in 1763 in a masonry and wood structure. Then, the stage tower, burnt away in 1931, was rebuilt with a reinforced concrete structure, which currently is a significant landmark in the heart of the University district with about 35 m height. The reconstruction project, designed by engineer Armando Villa, had to face complex issues for the emerging but still inexperienced Italian reinforced concrete technique, such as the installation of a large span roof at considerable heights. The archival research and the digital documentation made it possible to analyze the structural concept of this construction, a significant example of the building culture of the '30s, tracing the evolution of this specific construction system and contextualizing it on the international scene.