Museo: Mostra Teatralità - Architettura per la meraviglia

The Mission of GEMMO

Improving the lives of people and communities through technological innovation, while preserving the environment and available resources. We believe that culture and beauty are the foundational factors of our Italian identity, values to be protected and passed down. It is from this awareness that Gemmo's commitment to the cultural heritage sector originates, with enthusiasm renewed with each new project. For us, being able to offer our expertise in this sector is a source of great pride and satisfaction. Inspired by the principle of utmost respect for the historical and cultural value of buildings, we design each intervention with an eye toward integration with existing architecture, avoiding invasive actions that could alter the original aesthetics or structure. This multidisciplinary approach, involving architects, engineers, technicians, and art experts, ensures the delivery of appropriate, safe, and efficient solutions.

Arena di Verona

In November 2019, Gemmo began working on the Roman amphitheater in Verona, known as "Arena di Verona." The assignment involves interventions for the conservation, enhancement, and usability of the amphitheater, which, in the summer months, hosts a celebrated Opera Festival and numerous internationally acclaimed musical and entertainment events that can accommodate up to 22,000 spectators at a time. The contract includes the refurbishment of electrical systems, special fire safety systems, internal and emergency lighting, external lighting, and thermomechanical systems. For the Arena di Verona, Gemmo has completed the new electrical and special systems – from low-voltage electrical panels and distribution to lighting and outlets, from fire detection systems to audio and Wi-Fi outlets, and finally, the upgrade of the fire extinguishing system. We laid thousands of meters of cables using corten steel masking, copper arched pipes, and painted conduits; we installed 1,500 high-efficiency LED lighting fixtures, custom-built to meet the amphitheater's specific optical, shape, and color requirements, and chosen to adapt to the particular conformation of the walls. All this was done while adopting every possible measure and precaution for the preservation of the monument and to limit the visual impact of the systems.

Teatro La Fenice Venice

It was December 14, 2003, when the Teatro La Fenice in Venice reopened its doors, after the fire that destroyed it on January 29, 1996. The main protagonist of the evening was Maestro Riccardo Muti, with the orchestra and choir of La Fenice, in the presence of the then President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. The reconstruction project of La Fenice was entrusted to Aldo Rossi and carried forward by his firm after the sudden passing of the renowned architect. After almost eight years of work, the result visible to all was a Fenice formally identical to before, but actually completely renewed, particularly in its technological heart. For Teatro La Fenice, Gemmo took care of the executive design and implementation of the plumbing/sanitary, electromechanical, thermal, and air conditioning systems, as well as audio and video systems, special systems, supervision and control, and those for the performances. An extremely sophisticated and complicated project: the lighting systems, for instance, include 274 regulated light channels, controlled by a console, for a total of 5300 lamps. Gemmo also handled the installation and testing of the central chandelier, a faithful reconstruction of the original destroyed by the fire, which is 1.5 meters wide and 3 meters high, weighing about 750 kilograms. The chandelier, made of Murano glass and gilded bronze, contains 102 bulbs that simulate the effect of the original candles. Alongside the implementation of the systems, the integrated multiservice contract also includes operation, ordinary and extraordinary maintenance, immediate response on electrical lighting systems, emergency lighting, scenic lighting, special systems, security, and distribution of voice and data.

Museums and Cultural Heritage of the Sicilian Region

Sicily boasts a rich cultural heritage, housed in numerous museums, galleries, and archaeological sites scattered throughout the regional territory. Gemmo has been awarded the contract, through a project finance concession, for the implementation and maintenance of energy efficiency improvements to buildings and archaeological areas of the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity. The assignment includes as many as 91 sites, among them the Teatro di Taormina, Castello Zisa, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Paolo Orsi Museum, and the Archaeological Park of Segesta. Specifically, the energy efficiency interventions involved the replacement of lighting fixtures, the energy requalification of thermal systems, the installation of photovoltaic panels, the replacement of fixtures, and the implementation of an energy monitoring and remote-control system. It is said that in 1882, Richard Wagner, visiting the Ancient Theater of Taormina, was captivated by its natural scenery, finding inspiration there for Parsifal. Today, that same charm continues in a more sustainable theater: thanks to our energy efficiency interventions, the illumination enhances the site's beauty while reducing consumption and environmental impact. A perfect combination of history, art, and innovation of which we are proud.

Imperial Fora of Rome

A unique architectural complex in the world, consisting of a series of monumental buildings and squares built between 46 BC and 113 AD in the heart of Rome: this is the Imperial Fora, today one of the most visited archaeological areas where Gemmo has been present since 2015. At the Imperial Fora, Gemmo is responsible for the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of civil and industrial electrical systems, air conditioning, heating, cold and hot water distribution, grounding, intrusion prevention, access control, CCTV, signaling, emergency lighting (escape routes and panic), fire detection and signaling, and finally, video surveillance. It is said that while workers were installing new LED lights to enhance the historical remains, an owl perched on one of the scaffolds, observing the work throughout the night. A good omen, since the owl is the symbol of the goddess Minerva, in ancient Rome the deity of wisdom and protector of art and architecture. The episode was interpreted as a sort of "blessing" from antiquity, a link between past and present while the new lighting system restored splendor to the millennia-old monuments.

Venaria Reale Torino

The reconstruction of the Venaria Reale, one of the largest Savoy residences, was a long and complex process that took decades of work and significant investments. The main interventions focused on the restoration of facades, refurbishment of interiors, recovery of frescoes, and reconstruction of the gardens. After ten years of work, on October 12, 2007, the Reggia di Venaria was finally reopened to the public. Today it is one of Italy's most important cultural and tourist hubs, hosting exhibitions, events, and an extraordinary green area. Gemmo has been actively involved in the renovation and restoration of the Venaria Reale since 1999, with the establishment of technological, thermal, and electrical plants, the cogeneration system, operating the facilities, and coordinating maintenance services. It is said that during the Savoy period, Duke of Savoy Victor Amadeus II loved to impress guests with a surprising light show. Thanks to the strategic arrangement of windows and mirrors, at sunset, the gallery would fill with golden reflections, creating a breathtaking scenic effect. Today, with modern lighting and energy efficiency interventions, the Gallery of Diana continues to amaze visitors, maintaining its magic intact but with Gemmo's most sustainable technology. It is a perfect example of how history and innovation can harmoniously coexist.

Ducal Palace of Mantua

Once the official residence of the Gonzaga family, the Ducal Palace of Mantua is a vast complex of buildings, with over 500 rooms, courtyards, gardens, and galleries stretching across approximately 34,000 square meters, making it one of the largest palaces in Europe. The Gemmo interventions involved the Hall of Arms, the Guastalla Apartments, the Duchess's Staircase, and the Corpetto. Specifically, Gemmo was responsible for the creation of new electrical, special, and mechanical systems - including power, lighting, fire detection, intrusion prevention, CCTV (video surveillance) - as well as air conditioning and climate systems, fire protection, and control and supervision systems. The project also included the restoration and maintenance of protected properties, decorated surfaces, and the maintenance of technological systems. Not everyone knows a fascinating anecdote about the famous Hall of the Giants, a masterpiece by Giulio Romano. It is said that, in the sixteenth century, when the hall was completed, some guests of the Gonzaga court were so impressed by the perspective and drama of the scene - which depicts giants being crushed by the gods - that they lost their balance and spatial orientation. An optical illusion so realistic that it seemed as if the walls were truly collapsing! Today, thanks to Gemmo's restoration interventions and its highly innovative lighting, this scenographic effect is even more accentuated, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in this Mannerist masterpiece and appreciate every minute detail.

Palazzo Carignano Turin

Palazzo Carignano, located in the heart of Turin, is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture designed by Guarino Guarini in the 17th century, and its history is closely linked to the House of Savoy and the events leading to the unification of Italy. Over the years, the building has undergone various restoration and maintenance work to preserve its integrity and enhance its historical value. In 2021, Gemmo was entrusted with the responsibility for the restoration and maintenance works of the properties, technological systems, and decorated surfaces of the heritage buildings, as well as the engineering and architectural services.

Basilica Palladiana Vicenza

In 2009, to mark the 90th anniversary of its founding, Gemmo gifted the city of Vicenza with the lighting renovation of the monumental area of Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza, the vibrant heart of the city. The square is not only the geographical center of the city but also the hub of Vicenza's social, cultural, and commercial life. Originally the site of the Roman forum, it has maintained its centrality over time, evolving from a marketplace into an elegant city "parlor"; it is surrounded by significant historical buildings, such as the Basilica Palladiana and the Loggia del Capitaniato, both designed by the architect Andrea Palladio, along with the Torre Bissara and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà with the Church of San Vincenzo. The lighting system was designed to highlight the jewels of Palladian architecture using an elegant light that accentuates the beauty of forms and spaces, a sober and sustainable light that illuminates history while embracing innovation and energy savings. For the project, approximately 100 "custom" projectors were used, made according to Gemmo's project specifications, with different LED source gradations to highlight and underscore the various colors of different materials. The work, of course, complies with the regulations of the Veneto Region limiting light pollution, thanks to the use of fixtures with particular narrow-beam optics positioned at considerable heights.

Ara Pacis Rome

The Ara Pacis Augustae is one of the most important monuments of the Roman era, dedicated to the peace established by Augustus after the civil wars. It is located in Rome, in a modern building designed by Richard Meier in 2006, near the Mausoleum of Augustus. The Ara Pacis was constructed between 13 and 9 B.C., by decision of the Roman Senate, to celebrate Augustus's return from military campaigns in Spain and Gaul and the stability brought to the Empire. The altar is a masterpiece of Roman art and imperial propaganda, with bas-reliefs extolling the greatness of Augustus and his family. The Ara Pacis was not just a sacrificial altar, but a symbol of the new Augustan order, which celebrated the Pax Romana, a long period of peace and prosperity for the Empire. Today, the monument is one of the main landmarks for the history and art of ancient Rome, attracting visitors from all over the world. Since 2011, Gemmo has been conducting maintenance work on the electrical, thermomechanical, and hydraulic systems of the Ara Pacis to ensure its efficiency and safety. The activities include restoration, routine and extraordinary maintenance, as well as the possible integration of systems to ensure the proper functioning of the technical infrastructure. The greatest challenge of this project is the need to guarantee high reliability standards for the technological systems supporting the structure while preserving the historical and cultural value of the monument.