The innovative system designed by Aliva for the ellipsoid involves, for each panel, a hot-dipped galvanised steel structure comprised of calendered tubular elements that provide the structural rigidity for the curved shape, which involves considerable torsion. To improve the interface between the panel structure and that of the construction itself, an isostatic fastening system was selected, to avoid transmitting tension. The stones, laterally reinforced by stainless steel beams glued with epoxy resins, were anchored to the structures using a newly designed, completely invisible, system, which makes mounting and dismantling each element a very simple process. Once finished, the panels were mounted on support structures specifically designed for the transport, loading and unloading stages. For 12 nights, trucks with special low beds for the unusual cargo drove the panels to La Scala, where they were mounted, calibrated and arranged according to precise and careful planning.

The new scenic tower allows the la Scala stage to expand from 900 to 1600 square metres , and to implement innovative stage machinery. Visible from Piazza la Scala, the tower marks the theatre’s presence within the city’s architectural canvas. Aliva’s great experience and competence with ventilated facade systems, visible and hidden , was at the disposal of Architect Botta’s design concepts, who was well aware of the advantages of this solution. In fact, a flowing air chamber is created between the covered wall and the external face, providing the best protection from external agents, wall transpirability, thermal insulation during winter and summer, and noise absorption. In particular, the ventilated facade provides  perfect and long-lasting protection against rainwater (the main cause of building deterioration, along with pollutant gases) while allowing the dispersion of internal humidity. The result is a healthy and comfortable environment to live and work in, of remarkable architectural beauty.

For the scenic tower, rectangular slabs of Botticino marble 3 cm thick and up to 80 cm long were used, fixed in place using the exclusive Ali-Stone anchorage system, specifically designed by Aliva for heavy facades. The system is comprised of support beams in aluminium alloy, directly mounted onto the wall-face, and of box-section uprights made of the same material, shaped with a continuous groove on the front. Thus, Ali-Stone allows for the stones to be regulated directly on site on three axes, shifting all weights onto the load-bearing base. In the scenic tower, the isostatic connection to the aluminium substructure prevents tensions  from spreading from the building onto the facade. Stainless-steel rivets provide optimal fastening, considering that each pair can hold approximately 300 kilograms.
850 light points were inserted into the total 5000 square metres of surface: a charming starlit sky, designed by Architect Botta which uses fibreoptic stars nestling in specially designed slots. Thanks to Aliva’s detailed planning the electric network was run through the cladding’s air chamber, supplying power to the evenly arranged lights.
This was a complex and ambitious project, which represents a prestigious achievement for Aliva, and the beginning of new and exciting challenges.