L’architettura civica come palcoscenico. Alcune considerazioni sugli attori e sui loro ruoli

The Stage of Civic Architecture: Insights on Actors and Their Roles. This essay focuses on the personalities involved in the construction of the Communal palaces in Italy from 1861 to 1911. The history of the adaptations of Palazzo Marino in Milan is exemplary and allows us to shift our focus from the functional, technical, and aesthetic qualities of Italian buildings (the 'objects') to the contributions of administrators, engineers, architects, designers, and surveyors involved in the construction projects (the 'subjects'). On a national scale, the competencies of public technical departments emerge on one side, while on the other, the ever-evolving roles of the independent professionals called upon by municipalities become evident. In the cases of many architects and engineers, it is important not to overlook the relevant roles held within local administrations or political institutions.