Teatro alla Scala's sustainable restyling improves acoustics and energy efficiency

On August 1, 2022, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan announced the start of a sustainable restyling during the summer break, aimed at improving the audience experience. The two main interventions are the replacement of the upholstery in the boxes to enhance the hall's acoustics, and the substitution of all chandelier bulbs with low-energy LEDs, thanks to the historic collaboration between Edison and the theater. Edison, which has been close to La Scala for over a century, has been the sole supplier of green energy since April 2021, allowing the theater to avoid emitting 2,600 tons of CO2 per year. The new intervention follows an analysis that identified potential measures to avoid an additional 2,000 tons of CO2 annually. The theater has also been undergoing a broader decarbonization path under the Scala Green project. Previous major renovations include the post-war reconstruction after the 1943 bombing, the 2002-2004 addition of the scenic and elliptical towers by architect Mario Botta, and the ongoing expansion with a third tower for rehearsal spaces and offices. A future project, the Magnifica Fabbrica, will be built in the Parco della Lambretta on the site of the former Innocenti factory, designed by architect Massimo Giuliani.