Abstract:

This paper describe a research-line implemented in the ambit of the Continuing Education Course, path activated by the Department of Civil Engineer and Environment of Politecnico di Milano, named Architecture and structure MetaDesign (ASMeD), oriented to identify a methodological approach in the field of correlation between Shape-structure and the conservation of historical architecture in Reinforced Concrete built in Italy during the nineteenth century, focus on Sacred construction.

Recent studies, conferences and scientific publications showed the necessity of a reflection about the conditions of Italian building built in the first part of nineteenth century: total or partial abandon, routine and emergency maintenance, restoration operations, demolition or reuse interventions.
Theoretical references, design experimentation and technological innovations, starting from the end of the 18th century, characterized the reinforced concrete construction, require today to activate an oriented reflection both to the conservation of those building and also to study the dimension of the background material about those artefact.

The research works is organized in the following section:
- Synthetic picture and introduction about the condition of architecture in reinforced concrete realized in Italy during the 1900.
- Study case of MetaDesign experimentation of multidisciplinary studying development: Sant'Antonio Church in Corsico – Milano.
- Historical features of reinforced concrete buildings. Research of international example that illustrates the constructive system, the effective and formal experimentation about architectural elements.
- Study cases in Milan: the architecture of contemporary churches in reinforced concrete after the liturgical reform.
- Architecture and Structure: static principles and typological structure.
- Conservation of architecture in reinforced concrete: Theoretical orientation, experience from technical manuals, legislation and experimental research
- Methodological orientation for the conservation of Sant'Antonio Church in Corsico – Milano.

Keywords:

Reinforced concrete, Historical architecture, preservation design.