Il mercato coperto di Terni. Un'architettura dimenticata

The covered market of Terni, today, badly neglected and in a state of complete abandon, was built in 1964 based on the project of the architect, Sandro Giani, and represents a typically rationalist design, making clever use of reinforced concrete, steel and glass. The entire structure is of special interest, as the study of the archived material, together with observations made onsite, have highlighted how, underlying its construction, there is a particularly refined structural calculation and a choice towards optimizing the constructive sections. The use of variable resistant sections resulted in a roofing, constructed with two series of grid-frame girders and supported by variable section pillars, albeit significantly large, which combined give an overall impression of lightness. Moreover, the internal space, extremely light due to daylight entering from overhead through the 81 skylights, is very interesting and brings to mind the contemporary architecture of the great figures in the history of Italian engineering. The structure still has some potential use and could, through works aimed at its reuse resulting in preserving the building and its original volume, once again acquire a central role in the urban fabric of Terni.