Teatro Renato Borsoni,
project: Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
Teatro Borsoni is the centerpiece of the revitalization of Via Milano in Brescia, implemented as part of the "Oltre la strada" initiative. Designed by the Botticini + Facchinelli ARW studio in collaboration with Brescia Infrastructure, the theater transforms a former industrial site into a space dedicated to culture and social activity. It is an integral part of the city's extensive modernization process, which includes investments that improve the quality of the surrounding area. The building combines concrete austerity with the lightness of glass and polycarbonate, harmonizing form with functionality, offering Brescia's residents a new place to meet and create.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia combines concrete rawness with the lightness of glass and polycarbonate
photo by Federico Covre © Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
solid in dialogue with its surroundings
Teatro Borsoni was built on a small rectangular plot of land in Brescia, which forced a precise layout of the space. The solid in the form of a cuboid was designed taking into account the urban context. The north facade, facing Via Milano, is set back from the building line, creating an aluminum loggia that accentuates the main entrance and gives the facade spatial depth. The exterior walls are made of precast concrete blocks measuring 4 × 1.25 meters, providing a uniform, monolithic structure. The glazed facade of the foyer opens the interior to the plaza in front of the building. The higher part of the building, housing the stage tower, is covered with translucent polycarbonate panels that emit diffused light after dark.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - first floor plan
© Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
The facade: geometry and dynamics
The theater's façade is distinguished by a geometric pattern composed of triangular protruding elements resembling pyramids. These details give the facade texture and three-dimensionality, creating a play of chiaroscuro that depends on natural lighting. This solution can serve a practical function, limiting interior sunlight while enhancing the building's aesthetics. The concave roof, sloping toward the entrance, contrasts with the vertical walls, introducing dynamism and emphasizing the modern character of the project. Metal accents on the roof and facade harken back to Via Milano's industrial past, while remaining consistent with the minimalist style of the overall design.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - the theater's facade is distinguished by a geometric pattern composed of triangular elements resembling pyramids
Photo: Federico Covre © Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
interiors: materials and functionality
Teatro Borsoni's interiors were designed with a variety of users in mind, dividing the space into zones: a main auditorium, a children's auditorium, a foyer with a bar, rooms for age groups and technical facilities with dressing rooms. The materials used create a contrasting but cohesive aesthetic. Acoustic wood walls harmonize with the dark gray plaster and resin floors in the circulation paths. The common spaces are dominated by light gray, wood and aluminum - the latter material was used in the construction of stairs, railings and reception counters, giving them a technical expression. "Orange path" leading from the foyer to the children's area plays an orientation role, while introducing a visual accent.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - view of the main auditorium
photo by Federico Covre © Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
auditoriums: acoustics in focus
The main auditorium seats 312 and was designed with acoustics as a priority. Three aisles - a center aisle and two side aisles, connected to emergency exits - provide functional access. Wooden wall finishes with linear LED lighting and a properly shaped ceiling optimize sound propagation. A raised stage with an openwork design further supports sound propagation, allowing for a variety of events. A smaller children's room offers 169 seats, and its wooden floor flows seamlessly into the stage, promoting flexible use of space. The lack of a stage tower emphasizes the intimate nature of this part of the theater, tailored to the needs of younger audiences.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - bird's eye view
photo by Federico Covre © Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
a place of meeting and culture
Teatro Borsoni in Brescia goes beyond the function of a theater to serve as a local center for culture and social integration. The open space in front of the entrance, minimalist and functional, invites interaction with the building and its offerings. The massiveness of the concrete block and clear, sharp lines give the building a monumental character, characteristic of public architecture. Designers from Botticini + Facchinelli ARW and Brescia Infrastructure created a space that respects the industrial heritage of Via Milano, while directing it toward new goals - culture and community.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - elevation drawing
© Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
revitalization with perspective
The process of revitalizing brownfield sites, such as Via Milano in Brescia, requires a balance between history and modernity. Teatro Borsoni illustrates how architecture can support this transformation, giving disused spaces new life.
Teatro Borsoni, Brescia - view of the entrance to the theater
photo by Federico Covre © Botticini + Facchinelli ARW
The building responds to the current needs of the residents, offering infrastructure for cultural and social activities, while opening up possibilities for future initiatives. The precisely designed volume and interiors, combining austerity with elegance, make the theater a potential symbol of the renewal of this part of Brescia.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of the Botticini + Facchinelli ARW studio.
