Strutture in ferro e vetro nei teatri di posa di inizio Novecento

Since the late nineteenth century, and especially in the first decades of the twentieth century, the film industry generated a relevant and meaningful cultural heritage. Recently, even if it hasn’t been sufficiently investigated yet, it has been studied by researchers of different disciplines. Concerning in particular the architectural point of view, many buildings had been built relating both to the production of films, and their projection. These artifacts are mostly characterized by the presence of articulated structures making it possible to meet the specific functional needs, dictated by the activities to which they were intended. Iron and glass, used since the mid-nineteenth century for the construction of buildings designed for different functions, such as greenhouses, exhibition halls, galleries and urban passages, can be usefully used in the construction of the studios, where the use of metal and glass allows to ensure not only greater adaptability of buildings to the requirements related to the preparation of the film sets, but also adequate lighting environments necessary to the filming activities. The examination of the state of preservation of this heritage, for a long time neglected and/or forgotten and, in many cases, also demolished, has highlighted the need to promote an adequate safeguard in order to avoid the final disappearance of an important material evidence of contemporary history. Convinced of the need to protect this heritage, the study intends to focus on its conservation problems, providing a contribution to the knowledge of these architectures, their architectural/constructive characteristics, as well as their current state of preservation. Through the study of archival documents and the direct examination of some still existing artifacts we intend to promote knowledge, preservation and enhancement of this interesting, but “fragile”, heritage.