mario botta-designed tower addition for teatro alla scala opens in milan

Mario Botta and Emilio Pizzi’s new tower for teatro alla scalla

On October 17, 2023, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan celebrated the opening of its new tower on Via Verdi, designed by architects Mario Botta and Emilio Pizzi. This addition marks a significant milestone in the history of the renowned opera theater, following its extensive renovation in 2004. The tower offers eleven floors dedicated to offices, ballet rehearsal rooms, and backstage facilities for scene assembly. Additionally, a state-of-the-art Orchestra rehearsal room is scheduled for completion in spring 2024.

the new tower offers eleven floors dedicated to offices, and ballet rehearsal rooms | all images by Giovanni Hänninen

an inside look into teatro alla scala’s new tower

In the early 2000s, Teatro alla Scala (find more here) underwent a significant transformation, initiated in 2001 and successfully completed in 2004. This previous expansion introduced two distinctive volumes that extended beyond the eaves of the pre-existing neoclassical structure. The first volume was a parallelepiped-shaped stage tower, while the second, an elegant elliptic column, served as the home for artists’ dressing rooms and hovered above the historical edifices.

Fast forward to the present day, the theater has once again witnessed an expansion under the creative vision of architects Mario Botta (find more here) and Emilio Pizzi (find more here). Their latest contribution introduces a new tower that, as discussed earlier, houses essential working spaces for the theater staff, ballet rehearsal rooms, and additional auxiliary areas for the pre-assembly of scenes. To truly capture the essence of this architectural project, the lens of photographer Giovanni Hänninen (find more here), takes us on a visual journey that provides an intimate perspective on the expansion of the iconic Teatro alla Scala. Hänninen’s photography skillfully showcases the new tower, its eleven floors, and intricate construction details from various angles.

the new tower for Teatro alla Scala by architects Mario Botta and Emilio Pizzi