Construction companies and the evolution of industrialized techniques in Italy in the second half of the 20th century: the Borini experience (1960-80)

Las empresas constructoras y la evolución de las técnicas industrializadas en Italia en la segunda mitad del siglo XX: la experiencia de Borini (1960-80)

Francesco Spada

University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

Corresponding author: francesco.spada@unical.it, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7532-9110

ABSTRACT

This paper belongs to the field of Construction History and is part of ongoing research that investigates the contribution of construction companies to the industrialization of the building sector in Italy in the second half of the twentieth century. The aim is to compare the national evolution of construction techniques related to industrialization with the work of some construction companies. Borini’s experience can be well explored, as the original archive of the company is well preserved. Borini was an Italian construction company (1860s-2000s) that since 1963 used prefabrication and industrialization systems, having been constantly committed to construction process optimization. Through two case studies, the analysis investigates the use of techniques for mechanization of reinforced concrete castings, with different degrees of complexity. Unlike other Italian companies, Borini’s repertoire was composed of different industrialized construction techniques, mixed and constantly updated. Furthermore, the vast portfolio of achievements is useful for future research.

Keywords: Construction History; heavy prefabrication; mechanized formwork; construction process optimization.

RESUMEN

Este artículo pertenece a Historia de la Construcción y forma parte de una investigación en curso cuyo objetivo es comparar la evolución de las técnicas de construcción industrializada en Italia en la segunda mitad del siglo XX con el trabajo de algunas empresas constructoras. La experiencia de Borini se presta bien a este tipo de estudios, ya que se conservan los archivos originales de la empresa. Los primeros resultados de la investigación demuestran que Borini opera a través de la prefabricación y la industrialización, apuntando constantemente a la optimización del proceso constructivo. A través de dos casos de estudio, el análisis profundiza en el uso de técnicas de mecanización para el colado de hormigón armado, con diferentes grados de complejidad. A diferencia de otras empresas italianas, Borini ofrece un repertorio de diferentes técnicas constructivas industrializadas que combina y actualiza constantemente. Además, la amplia serie de resultados ofrece ideas para futuras investigaciones.

Palabras clave: Historia de la Construcción; prefabricación pesada; encofrado mecanizado; optimización del proceso de construcción.

Supplementary information ↓

Contenido

1. INTRODUCTION

2. METHODOLOGY

3. THE BORINI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: ALMOST 150 YEARS OF ACTIVITY

4. STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR BUILDING INDUSTRIALIZATION IN BORINI’S PORTFOLIO (1960-1980)

5. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FABRIANO AND THE NEW WAREHOUSES FOR THE OLIVETTI FACTORY IN MASSA

6. DISCUSSION: BORINI’S ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF ITALIAN BUILDING INDUSTRIALIZATION

7. CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

1. INTRODUCTION ↑

This study is part of a broader research aimed at reconstructing a framework of knowledge on Italian construction companies operating in the twentieth century. In fact, it is believed that the study of construction companies is a means through which it is possible to highlight the national evolution of construction techniques, that is to understand how and when they have been developed, used, improved and overcome according to production-related needs. This paper is a contribution to the reconstruction of part of the activity of the Turin-based Borini construction company, founded by Carlo Borini (1833-1913) in the 1860s (in conjunction with the Unification of Italy). The company operated until 2005 under the name of “Borini Costruzioni”, always under the guidance of the Borini family. It was a company that stood out on the national scene for its commitment to optimizing production and managing the construction process phases; thus, it can be taken as a tool through which some key passages in the history of Italian construction can be retraced.

In general, studies conducted so far lack a framework on the history and production of Italian construction companies in the twentieth century [1][1] T. Iori, “Le imprese di costruzioni italiane: una storia tutta da scrivere”, L’industria delle costruzioni, no. 477, 2021, pp. 4-9., also due to fragmentation and partiality of the available documentary sources, which make the study and reconstruction of the activity of a construction company complex. Archives of designers and clients support the study of specific works or groups of realizations related to specific themes; proof of this is the SIXXI research on the history of structural engineering in Italy [2][2] T. Iori and S. Poretti (eds), SIXXI. Storia dell’Ingegneria Strutturale in Italia, vol. 1-5. Rome, IT: Gangemi, 2014-2020., which retraces events related to the great works of the Italian school of engineering, such as research on Italian motorway architectures for traveller assistance [3][3] L. Greco, Architetture autostradali in Italia. Progetto e costruzione negli edifici per l’assistenza ai viaggiatori. Rome, IT: Gangemi, 2010..

In Europe, starting in the early decades of the twentieth century, many engineers and construction companies began working and experimenting with reinforced concrete. Some notable cases include: in Spain, Eduardo Torroja (1899-1961) founded his own design office in 1927 and in 1934 founded the Instituto Técnico de la Construcción y de la Edificación, dedicated to research and progress in construction [4][4] VV. AA., La obra de Eduardo Torroja. Madrid, ES: Ed. Instituto de España, 1977.; still in Spain, Carlos Fernández Casado (1905-1988) worked mostly with the construction company Huarte y Cia, especially bridges [5,[5] J. M. Armisén, “Carlos Fernández Casado”, Informes de la Construcción, vol. 40, no. 396, pp. 79-86, June 1988, https://doi.org/10.3989/ic.1988.v40.i396 6][6] E. Alarcón, A. Fraile and L. Hermanns, “El cálculo de estructuras en la obra de Carlos Fernández Casado”, Informes de la Construcción, vol. 60, no. 509, pp. 45-56, March 2008, https://doi.org/10.3989/ic.2008.v60.i509.590; in Germany, Franz Dischinger (1887-1953) and Ulrich Finsterwalder (1897-1988) were managing engineers of the Dyckerhoff & Widmann AG (D&W), a company specialized in construction of shells, thin vaults, and domes in reinforced concrete, also thanks to a patent developed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss Company and the engineer Walther Bauersfeld (1879-1959) ; in France, Eugène Freyssinet (1879-1962) had the opportunity to experiment with prestressed concrete while working for the Mercier-Limousin (1914-1929) and Campenon-Bernard (1935-1960) companies .

In Italian framework, studies are published on individual works or on specific construction techniques, such as those on thin vaults, which investigate particular achievements and designers [9][9] M. Russo. Costruire con leggerezza. Giorgio Baroni e la forma dell’ingegneria. Siracusa, IT: LetteraVentidue, 2023.. There are few studies on specific entrepreneurs, related to some skills: the Porcheddu company as a concessionaire of the French Hennebique patent [10][10] R. Nelva and B. Signorelli, Avvento ed evoluzione del calcestruzzo armato in Italia: il Sistema Hennebique. Milan, IT: Edizioni di scienza e tecnica-AITEC, 1990., and Nervi & Bartoli for the use of ferrocement and structural prefabrication [11][11] P. Desideri and F. Salsano, “La Nervi e Bartoli s.p.a. (1947-1961). La creatività applicata all’industria delle costruzioni”, in P. Desideri et al., La concezione strutturale. Ingegneria e architettura in Italia negli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta. Turin, IT: Allemandi, 2013, pp. 205-213.. The state of the art on Italian construction companies highlights publications and brochures published by the companies themselves: this is the case of the catalogue that celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Grassetto construction company [12][12] G. Toffanin, I novant’anni della Grassetto. Padua, IT: Editoriale Programma, 1992. and the periodicals published by the Società Generale Immobiliare between 1955-77 [13][13] Società Generale Immobiliare, Quaderni della Società Generale Immobiliare, vol. 1-35. Rome, IT: SGI, 1955-1977; Società Generale Immobiliare, Realizzazioni della Società Generale Immobiliare. Rome, IT: SGI, 1956-1973.. Some PhD research concerns part of the activity of specific companies: the Società Nazionale Officine di Savigliano [14][14] M. Pisanu, “L’architettura dell’acciaio in Italia negli anni Trenta. La Società Nazionale delle Officine di Savigliano”, PhD thesis (XXVIII PhD cycle, supervisor prof. P. Sanjust), University of Cagliari, Italy, 2015., Sogene and the use of prefabrication in Italy in the period 1945-77 [15][15] F. Spada. SGI-Sogene e la prefabbricazione in Italia. Strategie, tecniche e realizzazioni d’impresa (1945-1977). Rome, IT: Gangemi, 2024., and a partial review of achievements of the Società Generale Immobiliare abroad [16][16] G. Lecoque, “Alcune realizzazioni estere della Società generale immobiliare”, PhD thesis (XXX PhD cycle, supervisor prof. S. Mornati), University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy, 2017..

The complexity of studying and reconstructing the work of a construction company is often intensified by the condition that the Italian building scenery of the post-war period was characterized by many small companies, often without archives [1][1] T. Iori, “Le imprese di costruzioni italiane: una storia tutta da scrivere”, L’industria delle costruzioni, no. 477, 2021, pp. 4-9., a condition that makes it difficult to approach a transversal study about the production and strategies of a company. In this sense, the Borini construction company represents a fortunate exception, as the company archive is preserved at the Archivio di Stato in Turin, consisting of almost 3,000 folders containing projects, tender contracts, administrative and accounting documentation, promotional material, and photographs. The significant amount of documentation does not allow a single study to reconstruct the entire work of the company, which justifies the focus of the ongoing research on strategies adopted regarding building industrialization and prefabrication after the Second World War. This study reports the first results and explores two case studies considered to be exemplary.

The Borini construction company was among the Italian companies that, starting from the early 1960s, invested means and resources to update production methods, pushing towards industrialization of the construction sector. This is evidenced by Marco Borini’s report on the use of the Barets system for the construction of residences and schools in the southern Mirafiori district of Turin, during the Italian-French “technical days” at the Turin Camera di Commercio in June-July 1965. Indeed, the state of the art on the Borini construction company contemplates the studies of the Polytechnic of Turin research group, which influenced the Borini enterprises regarding heavy prefabrication with large reinforced concrete panels [17][17] E. Garda et al., Valigie di cartone e case di cemento. Edilizia, industrializzazione e cantiere a Torino nel secondo Novecento. Turin, IT: Celid, 2015; E. Garda and M. Mangosio, “Prefabrication and public housing in Turin between 1960 and 1980”, in Conference Proceedings of Italian Concrete Days (AICAP days and C.T.E. Conference, Rome, 27th-28th October 2016). Erba, IT: Gwmax, 2016, pp. 351-358.. Recent studies have highlighted the construction systems created by Borini: the “Borini 1” used prefabricated concrete load-bearing panels for external and internal walls; the “Borini 2” used concrete pillars and beams, which could be prefabricated or cast in site by reusable metal formworks, and prefabricated panels for exterior wall, which could be load-bearing, self-supporting, or infill [18][18] L. Greco and F. Spada, Dalla prefabbricazione d’importazione all’industrializzazione made in Italy. Alcune esperienze dell’impresa Borini costruzioni. Florence, IT: Firenze University Press, 2025, https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0737-9.

Moreover, important references are Carlo Borini’s diary (published posthumously) and the historical studies of Vittorio Marchi, which describe the birth of the company and the first years of activity [19][19] M. Borini (ed), Memorie autografe di Carlo Borini 1833-1913. Turin, IT: Centro studi piemontesi, 2009; V. Marchis, Carlo Borini 1833-1913: una storia di frontiera. Turin, IT: Centro studi piemontesi, 2009; V. Marchis, Domenico Borini (1861-1919): un’impresa internazionale. Turin, IT: Centro studi piemontesi, 2013.. Finally, advertising materials produced by Borini [20][20] Ministero della Cultura (Italy)-Archivio di Stato di Torino, Borini Costruzioni collection (subsequent citations ASTO-Borini), fund “Promozionali”, folders 1763-1764; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657. highlight specific achievements and particular techniques used, as well as articles in magazines of the time. The available bibliography has, therefore, supported the approach to the study of the archive, which constitutes the primary source of the ongoing research.

2. METHODOLOGY ↑

The general objective of the ongoing research is to increase knowledge of the history of Italian construction and engineering during the twentieth century with specific reference to the industrialization process and the role that construction companies had. The specific aims of this paper are to highlight the strategies, organization and achievements of the Borini construction company with reference to building industrialization and to understand the contribution provided by the company and the position it has taken in the Italian framework, deepening the techniques it used and those it developed from scratch.

Taking advantage of the availability of the company’s archive in a single storage location, the research is being conducted according to the consolidated methods of Construction History, updated according to the specificity of the study. The selection and analysis of documents, normally referred to highlight origin and construction of works or contribution of designers in techniques development, have focused on the knowledge of company’s strategies in relation to events of the Italian construction and socio-economic framework. Therefore, the investigation tools and methods were revised according to the research objectives.

The first level of analysis was conducted starting from the publications and original reports produced by the company [20][20] Ministero della Cultura (Italy)-Archivio di Stato di Torino, Borini Costruzioni collection (subsequent citations ASTO-Borini), fund “Promozionali”, folders 1763-1764; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657., which – compared with the available bibliography already mentioned – made it possible to obtain a presentation of the entrepreneurial activity, providing a preliminary synthesis of strategies and techniques adopted during the period of activity. The achievements highlight the means and resources, connected to the strategies, that the company adopted to organize production according to industrialization.

The second level of analysis, to be extended with further research, focuses on some of the works produced, to verify and support the strategies and techniques detected. The organization of the archive allows a study of the works through the comparison of several sources, referring to: project, tender documents, reports and documents produced on site [21][21] ASTO-Borini, funds: “Pratiche Cemento Armato vecchia serie 1956-1983”; “Disegni”; “Contratti”; “Cantieri”.. For some constructions, photographs and bibliographical references are also available (articles in magazines of the period).

The two buildings presented in this study were chosen as they were considered representative of two production lines that characterize Borini’s business activity: prefabrication (understood as on-site assembly of elements produced in the factory or on-site) and industrialization (understood as use of mobile and multipurpose equipment to build the product on-site). They were Borini’s strategies for rationalization of the construction process aimed at improving production capacity and achieving a good balance between profit and product quality.

Following the analysis conducted, the study of the original Borini archive appears promising, as do similar and recent studies, already cited, on other Italian construction companies. Thus, in the field of Construction History, it is believed that a line of research specifically focusing on construction companies is emerging [22][22] I. Bertels and M. Chrimes, “Construction contractors. New perspectives on the culture of construction from the 18th to the late 20th century”; R. May, “Avant-gardists sunken into oblivion—The Berlin steel construction company Breest & Co. and its ingenious engineer Hans Schmuckle”; G. Buchenau and S. Kuban “Early reinforced concrete contractors in Germany—A history of expert knowledge, courage and an open mindset”, in S. Holzer et al. (eds), Construction Matters. Proceedings of the 8th International Congress on Construction History (8ICCH). Zurich, CE: vdf Hochschulverlag AG, 2024, pp. 383-389; 399-406; 407-414., which takes archives as a source for tracing thematic paths and reconstructions of specific events. Therefore, the discovery of the archive is not innovative, however, the way of studying it, following particular objectives is.

Figure 1. Logo of Borini construction company (1928, tempera drawing 38x57 cm), designed by Nicolay Diulgheroff (1901-1982) exhibited at the Futurism pavilion for the Turin International Exhibition of 1928. Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.

Figure 2. Up: a masonry arch bridge in Alessandria (1894). Down: an iron bridge in Cosenza (southern Italy) where compressed air foundations were used (1901). Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3.

3. THE BORINI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: ALMOST 150 YEARS OF ACTIVITY ↑

The Borini construction company was founded by Carlo Borini, who acquired its first contracts in France and Haute-Savoie, including a railway bridge at Thonon (early 1860s) and the Viaison viaduct (1871–74) [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.. In 1880, Domenico Borini (Carlo’s son) moved the activity to Turin [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657., aware of the entrepreneurial opportunities deriving from the need to create public works functional to the unification of the Kingdom of Italy (Figure 1).

Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Borini’s company built bridges, hydroelectric plants, port basins, and railway tunnels. Some of the main works carried out were: the iron bridges over the Po in Cremona (about 1880) and Voghera (about 1910), as well as the one in Cosenza (southern Italy) where compressed air foundations were used (1901), a masonry arch bridge in Alessandria (1894), the hydroelectric plants in Trezzo sull’Adda in the province of Milan (about 1900) and in Bolzano on the Isarco river (about 1920), and the great Apennine tunnel on the Florence-Bologna direct railway line (1928) [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657. (Figure 2).

After the First World War, under the guidance of Franco Borini, the engineer son of Domenico and grandson of Carlo, the company participated in reconstruction works in France and – between the two wars – created the Italian Pavilion for the International Exhibition in Brussels in 1935 and in Paris in 1937 [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.. After the Second World War, in conjunction with the revival of construction throughout Europe, Borini company had already gained about 90 years of experience, unlike the Italian entrepreneurship characterized by numerous small construction companies without means and often improvised.

In the early 1960s the Borini engineering office was founded, to provide technical support for the company’s activities. The office dealt with architectural, structural and plant design, urban and real estate promotion; it also provided “support for the company’s construction sites by constantly seeking the best technological and operational solutions” [25][25] “Lo Studio di Ingegneria”, undated document. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.. Therefore, the Borini group, or the tandem construction company-engineering office, was able to offer an “all inclusive” service, from design to construction. In the early Sixties, in fact, the Italian economy was transformed, and the nation became an industrial power. The Borini construction company was interested in intercepting business opportunities in the best possible way, in fact it acquired several great commissions until the Sixties. Unlike the first years of activity, the prevailing interest of the company shifted from great works to civil constructions. The archive provides evidence of the realization of many factories in northern Italy, offices, university residences, and contracts for barracks and prisons.

The company worked with great professionals of the 20th century, including Arrigo Arrighetti for the indoor swimming pool at the Parco Solari in Milan (1967) [26][26] M. Borini, “La costruzione della piscina coperta al Parco Solari in Milano”, L’industria italiana del Cemento, Sep. 1967, pp. 619-626. (Figure 3) and Oscar Niemeyer for the FATA Offices at Pianezza in province of Turin (1977-78) [27] [27] M. Gennari, “Un’opera di Oscar Niemeyer a Torino: la nuova sede della Soc. FATA”, L’industria italiana del Cemento, no. 2, 1982, pp. 79-100; M. Marandola, “Niemeyer a Torino. La FATA a Pianezza”, FAmagazine, vol. 25, 2014, pp. 46-51, https://doi.org/10.12838/fam/issn2039-0491/n25-2014/122 (Figure 4). Furthermore, Borini collaborated with the “Servizio Costruzioni e Impianti FIAT”, building several industrial buildings as well as the “Giovanni Agnelli” gym in the Mirafiori district of Turin (1969-70) [28][28] G. Bologna (ed), Realizzazioni italiane in cemento armato precompresso: 1966-70. Rome, IT: AITEC, 1970, pp. 248-253; G. Zanoni, “Elegante paraboloide iperbolico”, L’industria delle Costruzioni, Jul-Aug. 1970. (Figure 3).

The Borini construction company was among the Italian companies that used foreign prefabrication patents for residences and schools. Unlike other European countries, in Italy reconstruction house building (in the post-war period and throughout the 1950s) took place by means of small companies, which used traditional procedures and very low mechanization. In the early 1960s, there were significant increases both in labour costs and tenders for large housing complexes (to be carried out in a short time due to emigration from the south to the north of the country). Consequentially, some Italian construction companies acquired foreign licenses, which were used in the most populous Italian cities [29][29] C. De Gregorio, “Sistemi francesi di prefabbricazione introdotti in Italia”, Edilizia Popolare, no. 53, 1963, pp. 5-25.. In Milan some residential prefabricated buildings were built: the construction companies Soberga (from Parma) and RDB (from Piacenza) used the Costamagna system; the MBM Spa of Milan used the Balency system; the Fintech construction company of Rome used the Camus system; the SICOP used the Coignet system [30][30] A. Bertolazzi and I. Giannetti, Architettura industrializzata a Milano. Prototipi e modelli per l’edilizia residenziale pubblica (1945-1965). Milan, IT: FrancoAngeli, 2024, pp. 49-133.. The Barets system was used in Milan by SEPI [30][30] A. Bertolazzi and I. Giannetti, Architettura industrializzata a Milano. Prototipi e modelli per l’edilizia residenziale pubblica (1945-1965). Milan, IT: FrancoAngeli, 2024, pp. 49-133. and in Turin by Borini [31][31] C. Mele, “Prefabrication between tradition and innovation: the first nucleus of Mirafiori Sud in Turin”, TEMA, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 77-86, 2025 https://doi.org/10.30682/tema110006; the Estiot system was used in Milan by Bertani-Barelli construction company [30][30] A. Bertolazzi and I. Giannetti, Architettura industrializzata a Milano. Prototipi e modelli per l’edilizia residenziale pubblica (1945-1965). Milan, IT: FrancoAngeli, 2024, pp. 49-133. and in Turin by Sogene [11][11] P. Desideri and F. Salsano, “La Nervi e Bartoli s.p.a. (1947-1961). La creatività applicata all’industria delle costruzioni”, in P. Desideri et al., La concezione strutturale. Ingegneria e architettura in Italia negli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta. Turin, IT: Allemandi, 2013, pp. 205-213.. The foreign licenses were used also for construction of schools [32][32] G. Peguiron, “Industrializzazione nell’edilizia scolastica in Italia: problemi e realizzazioni”, L’Industria Italiana del Cemento, no. 5, 1966, pp. 529-574. and others construction systems were designed by Italian companies, such us: Feal (from Milan), Bortolaso (from Verona), Pasotti (from Brescia), SPREAD (from Milan), Vibrocemento (from Perugia), Leonori (from Rome) [33][33] I. Giannetti, Esercizi di industrializzazione. Sperimentazione costruttiva per l’edilizia scolastica. Milan, IT: FrancoAngeli, 2024, pp. 75-135..

Figure 3. Up: construction site of the indoor swimming pool at the Parco Solari in Milan, designed by Arrigo Arrighetti and Borini engineering office (1967). Down: construction site of the “Giovanni Agnelli” gym in the Mirafiori district of Turin, designed by “Servizio Costruzioni e Impianti FIAT” and Borini engineering office (1969-70). Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7; 8.

Figure 4. Construction site of the FATA Offices at Pianezza in province of Turin, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Riccardo Morandi and Borini engineering office (1977-78). Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/8.

As mentioned above, Borini acquired the license for the Barets system, with large reinforced concrete panels, with which the company built fifteen 7-storey residential buildings (1963-67) and six 7-storey residential buildings (1966-67) and schools in the southern Mirafiori district in Turin (near to the FIAT factory). The works were commissioned by the Istituto Autonomo Case Popolari (IACP) of Turin, a State Office for social housing [17][17] E. Garda et al., Valigie di cartone e case di cemento. Edilizia, industrializzazione e cantiere a Torino nel secondo Novecento. Turin, IT: Celid, 2015; E. Garda and M. Mangosio, “Prefabrication and public housing in Turin between 1960 and 1980”, in Conference Proceedings of Italian Concrete Days (AICAP days and C.T.E. Conference, Rome, 27th-28th October 2016). Erba, IT: Gwmax, 2016, pp. 351-358..

In Italy, the use of heavy prefabrication decreased sharply already in the second half of the 1960s, due to the building crisis (absence of new large contracts for residential buildings) and the transition towards more flexible construction systems (by means of industrialized components, instead of large panels). However, the Borini construction company treasured the experience gained at Mirafiori and developed two construction systems: the “Borini 1”, with prefabricated reinforced concrete panels and the “Borini 2”, in which the prefabricated panels of the internal partitions were replaced by a reinforced concrete frame made by industrialized metal formwork [34][34] G. Bologna (ed), Industrializzazione dell’edilizia e prefabbricazione. Rome, IT: AITEC, 1977, pp. 354-356..

Starting from the early 1970s, in accordance with the second phase of the evolution of building industrialization in Italy [35][35] A. M. Talanti, L’industrializzazione edilizia in Italia. Volume 2°: 1955-1974. Milan, IT: AIP, s.d., Borini’s portfolio was enriched with mechanization processes for the on-site casting of concrete. For example, steel formwork (movable and reusable) was used for the paraboloid structures (mushroom roofs) of the “Don Grioli” covered market in Turin and some factories, including the Olivetti Synthesis warehouses in Massa (Tuscany) [36][36] “Strutture a fungo”, undated promotional brochure. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7..

After the 1960s and until the end of its period of activity, the Borini construction company had always been committed to industrialising the building process. The “Consorzio Edilizia Industrializzata” is evidence of this. It was a group of companies – founded in 1981 by Borini and other entrepreneurs – which had among its various purposes that of “promoting [...] execution of any type of work [...] with typified, industrialized, prefabricated construction systems” [37][37] “Costituzione del Consorzio Edilizia Industrializzata”, document dated 12 October 1981. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Contratti”, folder 3605..

Still in the 1980s, the Borini construction company extended its activity also to the field of restoration of monumental heritage, carrying out works throughout Italy. Then, in the 1990s, the company focused on the design, construction and management of multi-storey car park, including underground ones. Proof of this is the interest in the “Progetto quarta dimensione”, an association of about 40 entrepreneurs intending to build underground infrastructures [38][38] “Progetto Quarta Dimensione”, document undated. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Contratti”, folder 3624; G. Marvelli, “Affari nel sottosuolo, ci provano in quaranta”, in Il Corriere della Sera, 23th November 1991.. Still in the 1990s, the Borini construction company participated in some urban transformations that took place in Turin, such as the conversion (1999-2002) of the Lingotto centre (from FIAT workshops to a shopping centre and university structure) [39][39] V. Travi, “La tecnologia di Borini”, Costruire, no. 243, 2003, pp. 88-90. and, a few years earlier (on the occasion of the football world cup), the construction of the new multi-storey car park (1989-90) and the new terminal (1989-94) – designed by Studio Valle – of the Turin-Caselle airport for which the industrialized construction systems developed by Borini were still used [40][40] “Progettazione e realizzazione della nuova aerostazione internazionale di Torino-Caselle”, promotional brochure dated 1993. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7; P. C. Poma, “Il parcheggio pluripiano della nuova aerostazione di Torino”, L’industria Italiana del Cemento, no. 654, 1991, pp. 220-231..

4. STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR BUILDING INDUSTRIALIZATION IN BORINI’S PORTFOLIO (1960-1980) ↑

The Barets system used by Borini for the southern Mirafiori buildings in Turin was a load-bearing panel prefabrication system that was used in social housing districts in Italy (including Gallaratese in Milan) in the early 1960s. Panels were made in an on-site workshop rather than in a factory; those for façade were lightened and insulated with polystyrene or bricks, while the floors were made entirely in concrete or lightened with bricks or cardboard tubes [41][41] G. Bologna (ed), Industrializzazione dell’edilizia e prefabbricazione. Rome, IT: AITEC, 1977, pp. 349-350..

With the Barets construction system, the Borini company hoped to participate in the tenders for large residential complexes intended for workers in industrial cities, i.e. the “quantitative wave” of housing recorded in Italy in the early 1960s [42][42] N. Sinopoli, “Cinquant’anni di innovazioni tra domanda e mercato”, in N. Sinopoli and V. Tatano (eds), Sulle tracce dell’innovazione. Tra tecniche e architettura. Milan, IT: FrancoAngeli, 2002, pp. 21-42.. However, the disadvantages of load-bearing wall systems are well known, essentially attributable to the predominance of structural needs over functional ones; consequently, once the large social housing contracts were completed, the spread of these systems also stopped in Italy, as had already occurred in other European countries. For construction companies committed to their use, they constituted a tool to update the approach to the building process, improving business management through the creation of technical offices to support construction activity.

As mentioned above, in the early 1960s, the Borini engineering office was founded, which supported the construction company until the end of its activity. A preliminary analysis of the archival documents referring to the achievements highlights the main role of two engineers, Pier Carlo Poma and Giancarlo Zanoni, authors of the projects directly commissioned to Borini or in charge of the structural calculation when the architectural design was already prepared. In fact, Poma revised the construction program drawn up by Riccardo Morandi for the FATA Offices (1977-78) [27][27] M. Gennari, “Un’opera di Oscar Niemeyer a Torino: la nuova sede della Soc. FATA”, L’industria italiana del Cemento, no. 2, 1982, pp. 79-100; M. Marandola, “Niemeyer a Torino. La FATA a Pianezza”, FAmagazine, vol. 25, 2014, pp. 46-51, https://doi.org/10.12838/fam/issn2039-0491/n25-2014/122, “breaking down” Niemeyer’s architecture into components, some of which were prefabricated on-site. Zanoni assisted the architect Guido Radic (Servizio Costruzioni e Impianti FIAT) in the structural calculations of the large hyperbolic paraboloid roof for the “Giovanni Agnelli” gym in Turin (1969-70), for which a post-tensioning technique was used [28][28] G. Bologna (ed), Realizzazioni italiane in cemento armato precompresso: 1966-70. Rome, IT: AITEC, 1970, pp. 248-253; G. Zanoni, “Elegante paraboloide iperbolico”, L’industria delle Costruzioni, Jul-Aug. 1970.. Furthermore, the multi-storey car park (1989-90, designed by Borini engineering office) and the new terminal (1989-94, designed by the Studio Valle for architecture and by Poma for structures) of Turin-Caselle airport were built by the Borini construction company with the same construction systems, allowing “optimisation of costs and execution times” [40][40] “Progettazione e realizzazione della nuova aerostazione internazionale di Torino-Caselle”, promotional brochure dated 1993. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7; P. C. Poma, “Il parcheggio pluripiano della nuova aerostazione di Torino”, L’industria Italiana del Cemento, no. 654, 1991, pp. 220-231..

In 1966, after the Mirafiori experience, the “Borini 1” was invented. It was a construction system with vertical and horizontal panels (walls and floors, prefabricated on-site or in workshop) with which a three-dimensional load-bearing box structure was created [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.. It was a revision of the Barets system, in which Borini revised the joints and connections between the various panels (also using welds), making them more efficient for the transmission of stresses [43][43] Certificato di idoneità delle strutture a pannelli-parete realizzate secondo il Sistema “Borini”. Rome, IT: Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici, 1966.. Instead of heavy prefabrication procedures, this study reports two case studies referring to a subsequent phase of the evolution of building industrialization in Italy, specifically that of procedures for mechanization of concrete casting. Aware of the disadvantages of load-bearing wall systems, specifically that opportunity (and convenience) for their use was not widespread, the Borini construction company increased its offering by developing a variant of the “Borini 1”, which involved adding the use of industrialised and reusable metal formwork to its repertoire.

In the early 1970s, in fact, the “Borini 2” system was developed, an evolution of the first version, which maintained the large load-bearing panels for the facades (prefabricated in on-site workshop) but adopted a reinforced concrete frame for the internal skeleton of the building [23][23] “Borini Costruzioni”, promotional brochures dated 1997 and 2004. In: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/3; fund “Brochures”, folder 3657.. Pillars and beams could be prefabricated or cast on-site with the help of highly industrialized metal formwork, mounted on trolleys equipped for lifting and translation [44][44] I. Capitini, “Edificio scolastico a Fabriano”, L’industria Italiana del Cemento, no. 1, 1976, pp. 19-26..

Figure 5. The middle school in Fabriano, province of Ancona (1973). Photo of the building, plans of the three floors and sections. Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7.

The possibility of combining and using different components that could be acquired from the market, especially prefabricated elements for floors and roofs, was an advantage of the system. The flexibility of “Borini 2” was expressed in the variety of construction solutions adopted in the various realizations. For the Centro Polifunzionale of the University of Calabria (1972-75), designed by Massimo Pica Ciamarra, the façade panels, beams and floors were prefabricated, but the pillars were cast on-site [18,[18] L. Greco and F. Spada, Dalla prefabbricazione d’importazione all’industrializzazione made in Italy. Alcune esperienze dell’impresa Borini costruzioni. Florence, IT: Firenze University Press, 2025, https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0737-9 45][45] M. Pica Ciamarra, “Ruolo della prefabbricazione nel processo di progettazione della prima unità polifunzionale dell’Università della Calabria”, Prefabbricare, no. 4, 1975, pp. 34-43.. For a vocational school built in Biella (about 1983) prefabrication was adopted for the multi-storey pillars, the beams with omega section, and the façade panels. The structure was completed with prefabricated tiles in prestressed reinforced concrete, purchased from the market [46][46] F. Mellano, “Il centro di formazione professionale e sperimentale del settore tessile-laniero a Biella”, L’industria italiana del Cemento, no. 4, 1983, pp. 249-262.. Compared to the “Borini 1” – while continuing to use the “heavy” technique of reinforced concrete – the evolution to an “open” logic was evident, i.e. the possibility of developing a customized construction solution for the building, without the need for predefined models.

This paper reports the case study of a middle school in Fabriano (in the province of Ancona) to deepen the construction process that characterizes the “Borini 2”. The second case study regards the Olivetti Synthesis warehouses in Massa (Tuscany), where industrialized metal formwork was used for the construction of mushroom structures for the roof of the building.

Figure 6. The middle school in Fabriano, province of Ancona (1973): industrialized formwork for pillars and beams; tilting steel moulds for load-bearing panels. Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7.

5. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FABRIANO AND THE NEW WAREHOUSES FOR THE OLIVETTI FACTORY IN MASSA ↑

In 1973, in Fabriano (in the province of Ancona) the Borini construction company built a large school building of about 4,000 square meters as part of the experimental programs of prefabricated school construction provided for by law no. 641 of 1967 [43][43] Certificato di idoneità delle strutture a pannelli-parete realizzate secondo il Sistema “Borini”. Rome, IT: Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici, 1966. (Figure 5). In accordance with them, Borini participated in a tender competition organized in two phases: in the first, the company’s technical office drew up a preliminary project, subsequently detailed in executive form once the positive judgment of the selection committee had been obtained, also in relation to the construction system proposed by the company and the guarantee on the time needed for construction.

The school was built between March and December 1973, with the “Borini 2” system, with facades with load-bearing panels and structural frame consisting of pillars and beams cast on-site with industrialized formwork (Figure 6). The panels were prefabricated on-site by means of tilting steel moulds, equipped for steam curing, so that it was possible to produce two panels daily with each mould (Figure 6). Panels have a sandwich section consisting of two reinforced concrete slabs (5 cm on the inside, 15 cm on the outside) with an insulating layer of polystyrene (5 cm) interposed.

Figure 7. The middle school in Fabriano, province of Ancona (1973): industrialized formwork for pillars and beams; tilting steel moulds for load-bearing panels. Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7.

Panels measure 358 cm (length) by 356 cm (height, equal to the inter-storey), and are stiffened by vertical ribs and horizontal bulges at the base and at the top. There are two types of panels: solid ones and ones with a hole (130x170 cm) for the insertion of windows and doors (Figure 7). The panels were assembled using temporary tie rods anchored to the floor (Figure 7). The structural frame was cast on-site using mechanized metal formwork, also equipped for steam maturation, allowing the equipment to be reused after one day (Figure 6). The rigorous layout of the construction site allowed the movement of the panels (from the production area to the storage area) and the equipment (formworks) by means of a single tower crane. The panel assembly was assisted by crane trucks. The floors were made with prestressed reinforced concrete joists, brick blocks and concrete completion casting. The internal walls were fixed (made of gypsum panels) and mobile (which could be opened to obtain different configurations of the space) in plastic laminate on a metal frame; some wooden walls also contained wardrobes and fixed furnishings.

The new warehouses for Olivetti Synthesis were built by Borini in 1971 [47][47] P. A. Caponago del Monte, “Nuovi magazzini Olivetti a Massa Apuania”, L’industria italiana del Cemento, no. 11, 1972, pp. 781-792. (Figure 8). It is an industrial plant founded in Massa (Tuscany) in 1942 and expanded several times over the years. The structures built by Borini consist of two rectangular buildings that cover an area of approximately 10,000 square meters (Figure 8). The roof was built with hyperbolic mushroom paraboloids, made by reinforced concrete cast on-site with mobile and telescopic formworks, so as to allow the construction in two height variants: 11.50 m and 6.50 m (Figure 9). Each mushroom roof was obtained from the square composition of four individual hyperbolic paraboloid elements: the side measures 12 m, the thickness 5 cm, the difference between the highest and lowest point is 2 m (Figure 9).

The mushroom roofs are independent of each other, spaced out to obtain lighting from above by means of skylights connecting adjacent paraboloids. They are similar to the structures of the Palazzo del Lavoro in Turin (1961), although the building designed by Pier Luigi Nervi (1891-1979) was built by reusable formwork for pillars, prefabricated beams, ferrocement mould for slabs [48][48] G. Bianchino and D. Costi (eds.), Cantiere Nervi. La costruzione di una identità. Storie, geografie, paralleli. Milan, IT: Skira, 2012, pp. 134-138.. So, the mobile and telescopic formworks designed by Borini was a faster system for pouring concrete: in the early 1970s, it represented an evolution in the construction of mushroom roofs, especially when compared to the traditional wooden formwork used by Felix Candela (1910-1997) for hyperbolic paraboloid structures since the 1940-50s [49][49] C. Faber, Las estructuras de Candela. México, MX: Continental, 1970.. In the new warehouses for Olivetti Synthesis, each mushroom roof has its own foundation, consisting of a pillar and a thin vault, with a double-curved surface that is stable in shape. The pillars (in which the rainwater collection downspouts were placed) were cast on-site with self-supporting steel formwork, after which the thin vault was built. This was done by means of two large, mechanized formworks which, once coupled, allowed the casting of the roof (Figure 9): they consisted of a telescopic equipment with a metal structure and a mould in reinforced fiberglass (1 cm thick) suitable for containing the concrete casting (Figure 10). Thanks to steam maturation, with two pieces of equipment made it possible to produce one element per day.

Figure 8. The new warehouses for Olivetti Synthesis in Massa, Tuscany (1971): photo, plan and sections of the building. Source: ASTO-Borini, fund “Promozionali”, folder 1764/7.

The large area below the paraboloid was quickly cleared of any encumbrance, so the final finishes and the assembly of industrial equipment were carried out immediately, all while the construction of the other mushroom roofs advanced (Figure 11). This construction site management allowed business activity to start inside the building as soon construction was completed. The self-supporting facades (independent from paraboloids, mushroom structures) were made with prefabricated panels. The combination of the two solutions guaranteed that Borini could meet to the speed of execution required by Olivetti, just as the possibility of disassembling the facades and the new use of mushroom structures would have allowed expansions of the factory (if necessary), consistent with the initial construction logic.