The system of italian-style Condominio Theatres
is the project through which Italy achieves its new UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026.
In 2024, the Marche Region initiated the application process to designate its historic theatres as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project was selected by the Ministry of Culture and submitted to the UNESCO Commission, which awarded it in 2026. This unique network of theatres across Italy has been defined as Teatri Condominiali ('Condominium Theatres'), as they represent the communities of the era in which they were built and served as instruments to promote active, shared, and civic participation. These architectural works share common features — such as their layout and tiers of private boxes — and are the result of collaboration between local authorities and citizens. Their uniform style reinforces the cultural identity of the region, contributing to the birth of the concept of regional and national unity.
Servizi
Editorial design
UX UI design
Cliente
Fondazione Marche Cultura
Luogo
Anno
Nuclei di comunicazione
System
Condominio Theatre
Architecture
Visual system
The project’s identity stems from an in-depth analysis of the architecture of condominio theatres:
from the horseshoe plan to the two foci defining its geometry, up to the golden ratio regulating its proportions.
Architecture of the Condominio Theatre
The horseshoe plan and the boxes surrounding the central stalls allowed community members to participate in theatrical events and to see and be seen. The architecture not only enhanced visibility but also mirrored the social structure of the era, becoming a space for representation and socialization.
The plan and the two foci
We designed the brand identity starting from their architectural structure and the dialogue between stage and stalls. The construction of the logo follows the golden ratio, recalling the geometric harmony of the horseshoe plan. Within the ellipse describing these spaces, the intersection of two circles identifies two foci and two points of view, symbolizing the dual gaze that characterizes the theatrical experience: that of the observer and that of the performer.
Typography
The typographic choice reflects the elegance of theatrical environments, rich in details and classicism. The Romie font, inspired by calligraphy and designed for display use, has been treated dynamically, leveraging its versatility and occasionally combining it with the sans-serif font Inter Tight.
Palette
Dossier
From the visual identity system to the UNESCO nomination Dossier:
We have brought together all the elements of the nomination into a collector's box set, creating a unique item that tells the story of the Teatri Condominiali network of the Marche region.
Box set and layout
The box set comprises 4 volumes and is designed like a treasure chest. It houses the Dossier and reflects its value through its materials. Its three-dimensional structure and choice of materials give it an authoritative physical presence, consistent with the institutional importance it holds and conveys.
The standard format required for UNESCO nomination volumes is A4, a constraint common to all dossiers. Building on this shared foundation, we developed a layout adaptable to diverse content: text, but especially maps and tables—pivotal elements in this type of nomination documentation. The grid was therefore designed to ensure visual consistency across the volumes, while maintaining the flexibility needed to accommodate cartographic materials and technical data without compromising readability.
Website
Every theatre has its own voice:
the detail page brings it out, while the map and events connect it with the others.
The website brings together the network of condominium theatres, expressing its collective dimension through an interactive map and event calendar. For each theatre, a dedicated detail page delves into architectural features—from the façade to the ceiling, from the floor plan to the decorative elements—its historical and artistic context, its urban setting with nearby points of interest, as well as practical contact information. The site thus bridges two levels of understanding: the individual building in its unique specificity, and the system as an interconnected network.
Every theatre tells its own story. UNESCO recognition makes it universal. In this way, the heritage of a community becomes a heritage for all humanity.
Team
Collaborazioni
Tania Torresi
Patrizia Borlizzi
Antonella Nonnis
Althea Muirhead
Ludovica Gaia Mariella
Francesco Gesualdi
Loris De Santis
Claudia Lanari
Avv. Andrea Agostini
Giuseppe Nardi
