architects

​Il Teatro di Sopra is a place of artistic meditation, where spatiality and the structure itself become an integral part of the theatrical experience. The project is divided into two distinct but complementary spaces: the Theater Above and the Theater Below, connected by a winding path that initially unfolds within the lower space. This path serves as a transition between the two worlds, uniting two spaces that each, in its own way, reflect the concept of art and reflection. The Theater Below is, in fact, a preparatory space, a place that introduces the audience to the final and sublime experience in the Theater Above.

Il Teatro di Sotto

Il Teatro di Sotto is an environment situated 1.8 meters below the level of the Teatro di Sopra. Its architectural configuration was designed to gently integrate into the landscape, with a slight excavation of the ground that respects the natural morphology of the site. The design is characterized by concentric stone partitions that evoke the geometry of circles, symbols of concentration and connection. These partitions not only define the spatial boundaries and arrangement of the spaces but are also functional in managing the flow of the audience, distributing services, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that prepares the mind of the spectator.
The covering of the Teatro di Sotto is made of wood, a material chosen for its ability to filter natural light, creating plays of shadows and reflections that enhance the intimacy of the space. Light, therefore, is not only an illuminating element but becomes a means to emphasize the introspective dimension of the place, stimulating thought and reflection before entering the theater itself.
The Teatro di Sotto while functional, maintains a certain discontinuity with spaces typically dedicated to theatrical enjoyment, striving to establish a harmonious relationship with the natural context and fostering a slow, meditative sensory experience. Its architectural configuration, with the stone partitions and light filtering through the wooden roof, encourages reflection on the relationship between art and nature, between artifice and authenticity.

 Il Teatro di Sopra

From the Teatro di Sotto, one ascends to ground level, thus reaching the Teatro di Sopra, which represents the culmination of the theatrical experience. This space, of significant symbolic value, was conceived as a sacred and meditative place. The decision to leave the Teatro di Sopra in its current state, without significant aesthetic interventions, reflects the desire to preserve the authenticity and purity of the space, without adding extraneous elements to its nature.
The configuration of the Teatro di Sotto is characterized by its simplicity, enhanced by vernacular seating arranged in a traditional manner that recalls intimacy and connection with the audience. These seats, devoid of formalities, invite silent reflection and gathering, as if every element of the space has been designed to facilitate the artistic experience, not only visually but emotionally.
The arrangement of the seats, without rigid order, and the presence of expansive scenic backdrops that extend into the perception of the space, are meant to emphasize the concept of artistic reflection. The audience is invited to experience the performance not only as an act of observation but as an experience that involves the whole being, from mind to body. Thus, the Teatro di Sopra becomes the final point of a journey that, starting from the Teatro di Sotto, leads the spectator to a deeper and more conscious contemplation of the artistic work.
The project for the Teatro di Sopra is not just an architectural intervention, but a cultural operation that seeks to establish a profound relationship between art, nature, and the spectator. The separation of the two spaces, the Teatro di Sotto and the Teatro di Sopra, is not just a design choice but also a symbolic passage: the first is a place of preparation, meditation, and welcome, while the second is the place where art materializes, where the spectator reaches the height of their reflection.
The choice of materials, the distribution of spaces, the use of light, and the arrangement of seating are all elements that contribute to creating an experience that transcends the mere enjoyment of theater, inviting contemplation, reflection, and introspection. The Teatro di Sopra thus stands as a place of great suggestion, where art and architecture merge into a single act of reflection and contemplation.