“The restoration and refurbishment work on the main theater of the city of Bergamo, dedicated to Gaetano Donizetti, was completed in December 2020. This structure, with over two hundred years of history, has a significant volume that visually connects both the upper and lower parts of the city.
The historic façade was originally constructed with early 20th-century architectural concrete, while the elements of the lateral volumes were expanded during the 1970s and 1980s by architect Pizzigoni, using second-generation concrete.
The project, designed by Arassociati of Milan and Berlucchi Studio of Brescia, aimed to refurbish the exterior volumes and the scenic tower using materials that seamlessly integrated with the existing structure while expressing innovation and technology, preserving the historic façade and architectural features. Visually, the lateral façades and the scenic tower of the Donizetti Theater are now covered with concrete panels in varying shades of pink.
Magnetti Building was responsible for the design and engineering of the cladding panels, as well as the installation and execution of the work, intervening on both existing and newly built structures. This involved around 800 panels, mainly large flat elements of reduced thickness (3-4 cm). Some of these were also created in 3D for the reproduction of vertical pilasters on the lateral façade of the dressing rooms and multipurpose spaces.
The material used was Effix mortar, produced by Italcementi, which offers high mechanical performance and durability due to its mix design. The panels were reinforced internally with fiberglass mesh applied at suspension and anchoring points, ensuring post-cracking ductility and product safety in case of damage.
Based on a colorimetric study of the theater to match the shades found throughout the existing structure and through the use of oxide dosing within the mortar, five shades of pink and yellow were selected to harmonize with the building’s volume. After a long process of hundreds of samples and testing different finishes with various surface treatments, the desired result was achieved by the artistic direction and the Superintendence through a microsandblasting treatment, protected by a water-repellent layer. The finish, intentionally non-smooth, gives the theater a timeless effect that is both ancient and modern.
Magnetti Building’s experience in prefabrication allowed them to incorporate installation systems during the production phase, featuring a micro-adjustment system for ensuring the flatness of the panels during assembly, which were produced at the Carvico plant.
Due to the forced shutdown during the pandemic, the production of the panels spanned multiple seasons, subjecting the material to varying environmental conditions during its critical curing phase. To prevent cracking during the post-casting period, special measures and equipment were adopted in Magnetti Building’s production department to ensure wet curing of the panels by immersion in water.
In parallel with the engineering and production activities, the material and final product were validated through tests conducted at the Politecnico di Milano. Specifically, the panels’ compliance with installation requirements was verified with impact tests from both soft and hard bodies, according to international standards.”
