Petruzzelli Theatre
Historic project
| Type | Historic building |
| Intervention | Renovation and restoration |
| Location | Bari, Italy |
| Roof insulation | Isotec by Brianza Plastica |
| Insulated roof surface | 700 sqm |
| Roof cladding | Interlocking clay tiles |
History
Opened in 1903, the Petruzzelli Theatre in Bari has long been the city’s main cultural venue, hosting some of the greatest names in ballet, opera, classical music and pop music. On 27 October 1991, an arson attack caused severe damage to the theatre’s majestic dome, wooden structures, furnishings and frescoes. In 2002, a major restoration project was launched with the goal of blending the historic building’s traditional aesthetics with modern construction technologies, bringing this cultural jewel of Bari back to its former glory.
The intervention
The roof of the Petruzzelli Theatre’s stage tower, which was destroyed by the fire, was reconstructed with a discontinuous supporting structure composed of laminated wood purlins and trusses, topped with a deck of interlocking spruce planks. Thermal insulation of the roof presented particular challenges due to the steep pitch of the slopes. The Isotec System was chosen and installed directly onto the wooden roof deck, with the panel’s lightweight, ease of handling at height, and walkability proving crucial to the operation. The high thermal insulation performance and dry installation of the Isotec panels made it possible, through a single integrated solution, to achieve effective summer and winter insulation, regulate humidity within the roof structure, provide a secondary waterproofing layer against accidental leaks, ensure efficient micro-ventilation beneath the tiles, and create a stable support for the interlocking clay roof covering, delivering long-lasting efficiency and performance.
The building today
In 2009, following the completion of renovation and restoration works, the Petruzzelli Theatre reopened its doors to the city of Bari, with a theoretical seating capacity of 1,480. The intervention remained completely faithful to the original design: the theatre was reborn in its essential spaces while being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that comply with modern safety standards, and enhance the functionality of all systems and areas dedicated to both artists and the public.
Today, the Petruzzelli Theatre continues to host Bari’s opera and concert season, offering a diverse programme of performances, concerts and cultural events. It is the fourth-largest theatre in Italy and serves as the centrepiece of Bari’s cultural and architectural route, which also includes the Piccinni Theatre, the Margherita Theatre and the Kursaal Santalucia Theatre, collectively known as the Miglio dei Teatri (Mile of Theatres).
