La produzione di opere metalliche della A. Bombelli: sistemi di cancellate e cupole astronomiche

Many of the architectures of the first and second half of the 20th century are characterised by technological innovations that modify the architectural lexicon, appearance, and functioning of the buildings and require a new organization of the design activity and construction process. The use of highly complex technological systems has made collaboration between designers and construction companies indispensable: the architect, while managing the entire project and holding full authorship, needs the specific knowledge of the companies' technical offices to define his own architectural solutions at an executive level. Through the documentation of case studies and archive materials, the contribution presents some works of A. Bombelli, a company specialised in metal construction founded in Milan in 1889 and active in the historic Lambrate plant. The company worked on relevant projects now recognised as cultural heritage alongside designers such as L. Beltrami, G. Momo, G. Ponti, M. Piacentini, and P. Portaluppi. A particular focus is dedicated to the construction of domes for the astronomical observatories, with different movement and opening systems (A. Bombelli built more than 14 domes between 1919 and 1963), as well as to the innovative system of upwards sliding gates, a patented technology which, starting from the first solution for the Vittoriano gate in 1911, evolved up to that of the Turin Stock Exchange in 1956.