L'architettura dell'acciaio in Italia negli anni Trenta. La Società Nazionale delle Officine di Savigliano

The argument of this research is steel architecture in Italy in the 1930s with a focus on the “Società Nazionale Offcine di Savigliano”. The steel building frame follows a sort of parallel development in the field of the modernisation of the construction system, more connected to the research environment, through competitions and experimental projects. The 1930s are particularly meaningful to the history of metallic constructions. In fact, on the one hand it can be traced a lively cultural debate about the steel frame from the pages of reviews such as Casabella; on the other hand those are the years of the “autocracy”, which determined strong limitations to the use of metals in architecture. Although the limited spread of steel structures, this subject is interesting from a technical point of view and with regard to the construction methods innovations, even if many of these projects remained on paper. The aim of the research is to retrace this part of the Italian construction history, almost completely unexplored yet, focusing on the case of one of the most important Italian company in the field of metallurgy and steel construction: the “Società Nazionale Officine di Savigliano” (national company workshops Savigliano) and specifically on the production during the 1930s. Until now, the research conducted regarding Savigliano focused in particular on the analysis of labour dynamics and on economic and business issues. The studies concerning construction subjects dealt with the first period of the activity and therefore pertain principally infrastructures. However, a very interesting aspect to consider about Savigliano is the research and experimentation aptitude shown during the thirties. Savigliano gave a great contribution to the renewal of the building trade, especially with regard to the construction industry, having introduced some important technological innovations, for instance the application of the electrical welding to the metal carpentry. What is more, during the 1930s, the company collaborated with some important architects and engineers, such as Fiorini, for the development of the "tensistruttura" (tensile structure), Nervi for the project of a circular hangar but also Sottsass, Melis and Bernocco, Moretti, De Renzi and Libera.