Calcestruzzo e calcestruzzo armato nella cittadella del Politecnico di Milano, 1919-1927

From the Palazzo della Canonica in the city centre, the Politecnico transferred to its new premises in Leonardo da Vinci square at the end of the twenties. This paper - moving from a wider research regarding the construction events of the new “core campus”, the periods and ways of constructions and the relationships among building programmes, didactics and research programmes - is focused on the presence and applications of concrete and reinforced concrete in the new pavilions. In order to provide a store of knowledge for preserving materials and the material cultures they transmit, the methodological work started from the direct comparison with the building, and it was linked to a bibliographical research and to acquisitions emerged in a thorough examination of documentary resources. First, it has been pointed out the gradual introduction of these materials. The preliminary design of the architect Augusto Brusconi, initially charged by the Consorzio per l’Assetto degli Istituti di Istruzione Superiore in Milano, suggest a wide use of traditional construction materials and techniques, as he taught to the students at his course of Architettura Pratica in the Politecnico. In following detailed designs, signed by engineers Ferrini and Verganti, concrete got a wider role. The research examined its applications; the reasons of its choice, from economical to performance aspects; the organization of construction processes. Concerning structures, the research evidenced a wide use of reinforced concrete for floors, mainly. In a period in which several systems were patented, different construction techniques are recognized in the “core campus”. They were proposed by building contractors, also depending on their working abilities, under the strict control of the Ufficio Tecnico. A further application is related to finishings, and in particular to decorations. Cast concretes are especially used in order to get it. The research outlines the efficient construction process: the Ufficio Tecnico realized detailed plans for the mould following the hierarchical drafts in the façades design; specialized contractors submit tenders for supplying cast stones and sometimes for their finishing in situ. “Intonaci lavorati” - plasters whose finishings are worked in order to imitate natural stones - are also widely present. Decisions regarding materials and construction techniques reflect what building industry and great contractors of Lombardy were proposing, with influences also on teaching and research programmes in the Politecnico: in particular, they concerned the structural use of reinforced concrete, as showed by scientific studies published in the following years, which became essential references for its planning and calculating.