La diffusione e le applicazioni del calcestruzzo ai primi del '900 nei centri di provincia: studi per la conservazione - Il caso di Legnano (MI)

The diffusion of cement and concrete since the end of the XIX century has given rise to various applications with a progressively widespread use on a large scale. The paper is aimed at analyzing the diffusion and the applications of the concrete at the beginning of the XX century in a provincial town, in order to understand what has been produced with this material outside the major cities, and to allow the recognition of its value and properly address interventions on it. The analyzed case is Legnano, a former agricultural village which became an industrial town in the XX century, with a consequent urban expansion characterized by the use of both traditional and innovative techniques and materials. Between these the reinforced concrete was imported in the 1901 from Milan and used for bridges on the Olona river, water tanks or industrial buildings, but also for civil architectures, albeit limited to the floors. It started a slow evolution of ceiling systems and patents and encouraged debate on local journals. The use of decorative concrete was also massive: Legnano did not experience an artistic season generating new languages, but had more "epidermal" features with basic and simplified shapes, often related to "utilitarian" buildings.