Casa Italiana Theatre

The Casa Italiana building on Columbia University’s campus was built in 1927 by McKim, Mead & White, the same firm that designed the layout for Columbia’s campus. The neo-Renaissance style building is modeled after Roman palazzos. Currently, The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America is housed in the Casa with a multitude of university events being held in the Teatro.

EverGreene was contracted in August of 2022 to restore the decorative ceiling as well as perform some touch-ups on the walls and wood to give the Teatro an overall refresh. First, a paint analysis was performed to match historic colors and provide a color palette for client review. Our decorative painters fully repainted the decorative plaster ceiling base and accent colors, and cleaned and touched up the metallic painted elements. Cracks on the plaster ceiling were fixed via fills and injections. Missing and water-damaged ornamental pieces were re-casted and installed. The frieze, proscenium, and columns at the front of the stage also received plaster touch-ups and a full repainting with an antique glaze. Paint and plaster on the 10 polychromed crests on the walls were cleaned and touched up as needed.

Our conservators also touched up and refinished the wood wainscoting, baseboard, stage dais, and two stage side doors to even the stained color and take out scratches and dings.