Several major repair jobs have been carried out over the years on La Scala, the famous Opera House in the Italian city of Milan: in 1946, 1964 and 1984. Last year, a special renovation was undertaken. Sponsored by Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings, it was exhaustive and comprehensive - and based on historical and scientific analysis of the original structure.

In December 1999, the newly restored La Scala reopened, on schedule, in time for the 1999-2000 opera season. The quality of the restoration was widely praised by city authorities and cultural and environmental experts for the region of Lombardy, which supervised the project. The Scala Theatre is one of the most important monuments of the Lombardy region of Italy.

In general, the consensus was that the restoration brought back some splendor to a façade that had deteriorated under the impact of air pollution and lack of maintenance.

Sikkens masonry coatings and lacquers are used in the restoration. Stonework was carefully cleaned, plasterwork restored and painted with mineral inorganic paints. The La Scala woodwork was also restored and painted and the ironworks cleaned and painted with protective coatings.

It took seven months to complete the work - from May to November 1999. The project concentrated on the consolidation, cleaning and protection of all stone materials on the façade (stone, red and white granites). All the pre-existing mortars were removed and renovated before being finally coated with Sikkens silicate-based paints.

The "new" La Scala Theatre is bright and in harmony with other buildings adjacent to the La Scala Square - in contrast with the ochre-yellow, somewhat sad and opaque façade of eight months ago.