l’architetto l’architetto

.2 etmr/tor 2018 settembre/ottobre n. 2 l’architettorivista bimestrale fondata nel 1956 nuova serie n. 2 settembre/ottobre 2018

L’architetto ha un rapporto con il suo mestiere, con la sua arte, molto diverso da quello degli altri artisti con le loro rispettive arti. La ragione è ovvia: l’architettura non è, non può, non deve essere un’arte esclusivamente personale. È un’arte collettiva. L’autentico architetto è un intero popolo. Esso fornisce i mezzi per la costruzione, ne indica lo scopo e la

Euro 12,00 rende unitaria. José Ortega y Gasset l’architetto rivista bimestrale fondata nel 1956 nuova serie n. 2 settembre/ottobre 2018

Direttore EDITORIALE Nicola Di Battista

Redazione Nicola Di Battista Le condizioni del mondo attuale 002 Giorgio Azzariti Ludovica Di Camillo OPINIONI Enrica Giaccaglia Leonardo Lella Gaetano Manfredi La diversità come risorsa 004 Maura Mantelli Francesco Tosetto Vincenzo Melluso Una scrivania in disordine 010 Corrispondenti Elisabetta Carboni, Vienna Vincent Van Duysen ‘On Dwelling’ 010 Ludovica Cirillo, Tokyo Claudia Mion, Parigi Hans Kollhoff Verso una cultura architettonica italiana per l’Europa 018 Sabrina Puddu, Londra Francesco Zuddas, Londra CRONACHE E STORIE Web Achille Castiglioni Lavorare con piacere alla Castiglioni 023 Stefano Felicetti Clara Lopez Adriano Olivetti L’architettura, la Comunità e l’urbanistica 028 Progetti speciali Massimo Curzi Ruggero Tropeano La mia visita e i miei ricordi 032 Grafica e impaginazione Marco De Michelis Biennale di Venezia 2018 036 Studio Linea Coordinamento redazionale Jean Nouvel Fondazione Alda Fendi-Esperimenti 041 Edizioni di Comunità Guido Canali Nuovo allestimento del museo delle Statue Stele lunigianesi 052 Traduttori Giorgio Azzariti, Alessandra Saltarin, Francesco Venezia Una piazza italiana 062 Ilene Steingut, Rodney Stringer Fotografi Alessandra Rampazzo Una maniera di lavorare 068 Gabriele Basilico, , Marcello Galiotto Mario Carrieri, Roland Halbe, Mimmo Jodice, Vaclav Sedy, Mark Selen, Filippo Simonetti, Pierluigi Cerri Io e… UniFor 074 Studio F64, The Cool Couple, Federica Vinci Dario Costi Le cento città d’Italia: Parma 082 Ringraziamenti Paolo Brambilla, Cristina Danese, Michele De NOTIZIARIO Mattio, Stefania Falone, Andrea Faraguna,

Barbara Jodice, Francesca Limana, Livia Tani Dai Dipartimenti 087 l’architetto rivista bimestrale ENGLISH TEXTS 102 n. 2 settembre/ottobre 2018 ROC 7832 Registrazione Tribunale di Roma n. 180 del 30.10.2018 Direttore Responsabile Nicola Di Battista ISSN 0003-8822 prezzo di copertina €12,00, arretrati €15,00 abbonamento annuo (6 numeri) €50,00 Promossa ed editata da Consiglio Nazionale degli Consiglio Nazionale degli Architetti Pianificatori Architetti Pianificatori Paesaggisti e Conservatori Paesaggisti e Conservatori presso il Ministero della Giustizia Redazione e amministrazione Direttore Consiglio Direzione editoriale Via Santa Maria dell’Anima 10, 00186 Roma Gaspare Giovanni Ienna Giuseppe Cappochin Presidente Beniamino de’ Liguori Carino Rino La Mendola Vicepresidente vicario T +39 06 68899039 F +39 06 6879520 Sito web Redazione Carmela Cannarella Vicepresidente [email protected] www.awn.it Andrea Crisanti de Ascentiis, Angela Ricci Fabrizio Pistolesi Segretario [email protected] Email Massimo Crusi Tesoriere Sito web [email protected] Sito web Marco Aimetti www.edizionidicomunita.it www.larchitetto.it Via Santa Maria dell’Anima 10 Walter Baricchi 00186 Roma Email Servizi editoriali e distribuzione Ilaria Becco T +39 06 6889901 [email protected] Edizioni di Comunità Alessandra Ferrari Franco Frison Via Giuseppe Zanardelli 34 Stampa e fotolito Paolo Malara 00186 Roma ErreStampa, Orio al Serio (BG) Alessandro Marata T +39 06 89874152 Le immagini e i testi riprodotti sono protetti Luisa Mutti Edizioni di Comunità è un’iniziativa da copyright. L’Editore, acquisiti tutti i diritti, Livio Sacchi in collaborazione con è comunque a disposizione di quanti avessero Diego Zoppi la Fondazione Adriano Olivetti a vantare ragioni in proposito.

Finito di stampare, novembre 2018 I lavori di Vincenzo Melluso e Vincent Van Duysen propongono due pensieri appassionati sul modo di progettare per abitare OPINIONI l’architettura, riportandoci ai valori fondamentali del fare A CONFRONTO architettura oggi. Qui i luoghi dell’abitare si esprimono in un equilibrio delicato e raffinato, tra conoscenza della tradizione e dell’innovazione, capace di dare un senso profondo alle cose. Due esperienze emblematiche, SULL’ABITARE fondate su un forte impegno civile, in cui la molteplicità degli VINCENZO elementi utilizzati trova sempre una giusta sintesi formale senza cadere mai nei vani formalismi MELLUSO e nelle chimere dell’high-tech che sono purtroppo diventati VINCENT alcuni dei caratteri più negativi ed evidenti assunti dalla nostra VAN DUYSEN disciplina nell’epoca attuale © Nanni Culotta Debrock © Fred

10 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 11 Vincenzo Melluso (1955) Pagina a fronte: progetto elementi che scavano La sua attività progettuale della chiesa e del centro il volume primario e dal è stata spesso al centro parrocchiale Gesù sistema di luce naturale. dell’attenzione della critica, Maestro a Potenza In questa pagina: Casa venendo documentata (1999–2010). Barbera a Messina su varie pubblicazioni e riviste. In alto: schizzo di studio. (2009–2013). Nel 2000 fonda lo studio Al centro: modello dello Lo spazio domestico è MellusoArchitettura spazio interno della fortemente articolato da e dal 2006 è professore chiesa per un affresco un minuzioso lavoro ordinario di Progettazione di Erich Demetz. compositivo sul solaio di Architettonica presso In basso: veduta dell’aula copertura dove dei l’Università di Palermo nella assembleare, dove lo lucernari, diversamente quale si laureò spazio è fortemente posizionati, inondano di caratterizzato da luce naturale gli ambienti

Ora ho osservato con più attenzione la mia di un brano musicale e di un testo letterario. vigore la necessità di un impegno fondato su una pubblici, ammassare riserve contro un inverno scrivania e ho concluso che non ci si può cavare Per modalità di ideazione, sensibilità e carica forte coscienza civile, un grande senso etico. Un dello spirito che da molti indizi, mio malgrado, niente di buono. Troppe cose sparse che creano evocativa delle migliori esperienze possiamo passaggio del libro della scrittrice francese mi vedo venire”. È certo un grande richiamo alla un disordine privo di armonia e di quell’equilibrio certamente ricondurle alla costruzione pare opportuno adesso ricordare: “… costruire necessità di dare misura e senso alle cose. Questo tra gli oggetti sparsi che altrimenti rende tollerabile dell’architettura, quindi dello spazio dell’abitare. significa collaborare con la Terra, imprimere il si richiede nella costruzione della dimensione qualsiasi disordine. Proprio nei giorni scorsi riascoltavo alcuni segno dell’uomo su un paesaggio che ne resterà dell’abitare: un ritrovato valore etico nella nostra Franz Kafka brani dello straordinario musicista americano modificato per sempre; contribuire inoltre a quella azione. Si tratta allora di tornare a riprendere un John Cage, ne ricordo adesso solo uno: In lenta trasformazione che è la vita stessa delle percorso che, temo, in questi ultimi tempi si sia Sulla questione dell’abitare mi sollecita a scrivere a Landscape. Un brano composto da Cage città. Quanta cura, per escogitare la collocazione smarrito, in particolare in Italia. Una traccia da Nicola Di Battista. Chiede il mio punto di vista. nell’ormai lontano 1948, settant’anni fa. Perché esatta di un ponte e d’una fontana, per dare a una ricostruire allontanandosi il più possibile dai rivoli Bella sfida oggi tentare di rimettere ordine su ricordarlo in questa circostanza? strada di montagna la curva più economica che è di una ricerca di clamore, troppo spesso inutile, questioni così cruciali per la condizione della vita Desidero rammentarlo per la sua straordinaria al tempo stesso la più pura! … Costruire un porto, e molto frequentemente segnata da una spiccata dell’uomo, con la consapevolezza che tanto si capacità di fare convivere modernità e conoscenza significa fecondare la bellezza d’un golfo. Fondare autoreferenzialità. è scritto, in modo autorevole, e tanto si continua del passato, innovazione e tradizione, in un biblioteche, è come costruire ancora granai Abbiamo un compito, noi architetti, di grande a scrivere e a fare, a volte con alla base tanti equilibrio tanto delicato e raffinato, attraverso una responsabilità civile nel dovere pensare gli spazi fraintendimenti. Ci provo comunque. profonda conoscenza della disciplina musicale per l’abitare. In questo senso è necessario che, In questo tentativo di mettere in ordine alcune mie e della sua storia. Cage crea delle atmosfere soprattutto le nuove generazioni, si rivolgano considerazioni sul tema, vorrei però procedere straordinarie, così come il brano appena ricordato, ai loro compiti con maggiore misura, avendo attraverso alcuni ‘prestiti’. Nell’accingermi allora uno dei suoi più coinvolgenti: una grande armonia. cura di acquisire la consapevolezza di quanto a scrivere mi tornano in mente due esperienze È forse quello che manca oggi nelle nostre città? (e variegato) pensiero può esserci intorno diverse tra loro: una legata alla musica, l’altra alla Proprio nell’insediamento umano per antonomasia? all’architettura. letteratura. Esperienze, quindi, non esattamente Adesso il mio ricordo si volge a una lettura ormai Un pensiero che può includere notevoli nel solco della disciplina del progetto di passata, ma sempre viva nella mia mente per il sollecitazioni per concepire i luoghi dell’abitare. architettura, ma certamente contigue e che spesso valore etico che emerge dalle pagine del libro. Il A partire da queste iniziali riflessioni, la mia si intersecano. Citarle, in questa circostanza, lo pensiero è all’appassionante Memorie di Adriano convinzione si fonda sull’idea che per costruire considero estremamente utile per fare emergere il di Marguerite Yourcenar. Un libro più o meno spazi dell’abitare adeguati è necessario per prima mio punto di vista. coevo al brano citato di Cage, almeno nella sua cosa imparare a vedere. Ho la precisa consapevolezza di quante analogie prima edizione (1951). Qui la Yourcenar utilizza la Bisogna addestrarsi e poi impegnarsi a

si possono riscontrare tra la composizione figura dell’imperatore romano per sostenere con © MellusoArchitettura comprendere quanto sta intorno a noi, com’è OPINIONI A CONFRONTO VINCENZO MELLUSO © Gian Gabriele Fiorentino © Alberto Muciaccia © Gian Gabriele Fiorentino

12 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 13 In questa pagina: progetto Vincent Van Duysen (1962) In questa pagina. In basso: modello di BA di riconfigurazione Fonda nel 1990 il suo studio A sinistra: modello Residence, realizzata dell’area di piazza del ad Anversa, nel suo paese in sezione del nuovo a Wilrijk, in Belgio, nel Ponte a Mendrisio, d’origine, in Belgio. megastore de La 2014. L’abitazione si in Svizzera (2010). La sua progettazione spazia Rinascente, inaugurato ispira alla villa Krefeld di Schizzo di studio e dal product design alla a Roma, in via del Tritone Mies Van der Rohe e alle modello del progetto di progettazione architettonica su nel 2018. Lo studio Van case in mattone rosso, riqualificazione, elaborati grande scala. Nel 2016 è stato Duysen si è occupato realizzate nello stesso in occasione del concorso nominato Art Director dei brand della progettazione quartiere dall’architetto a inviti promosso italiani Molteni&C e Dada dell’atrio monumentale locale Nachman dall’amministrazione e della facciata. Kaplansky comunale d’intesa con l’Accademia di Mendrisio © VVDA composta la realtà che osserviamo e come si La sua risposta non era certamente una Ho cominciato a studiare architettura in Belgio, di quei giorni; tuttavia, i mobili descrivevano lo Nel 1990 ho aperto il mio studio: ho iniziato a struttura il sistema delle relazioni che la attraversa. semplice formula, né uno slogan come i tanti nei primi anni Ottanta, all’apice del periodo spazio in maniera architettonica. E questo mi mettere in pratica ciò che avevo imparato negli Un richiamo a dare ‘senso’ al nostro fare. Una che oggi ci assediano, ma un denso e ricco postmoderno. Di lì a poco sarebbero giunti affascinava. anni precedenti, durante il mio apprendistato. riflessione che scaturisce dall’osservazione degli concentrato di esperienze e conoscenze su il decostruttivismo di Zaha Hadid, Daniel Dopo questa esperienza a Milano, ho lavorato Questo consisteva in un atto teso a ricercare strumenti che oggi, in numero sempre maggiore e cui ebbi più volte, anche in seguito all’incontro, Libeskind, OMA e Coop-Himmelb(l)au, e con Jean de Meulder, un decoratore belga, un’essenzialità altamente purificata, in grado di diversificato, per forma e contenuto – spesso però occasione di riflettere e che adesso, in questa successivamente il post-decostruttivismo, con immergendomi completamente nel mondo del adattarsi alla storia di ogni ambiente e di curarne senza un adeguato e autorevole apparato critico circostanza, desidero testualmente riprendere: tutti i suoi relativi formalismi e colori. All’interno cosiddetto ‘interior design’. È stato un periodo ogni dettaglio. Fin da questo momento di partenza – costruiscono una descrizione dove l’architettura “Per conformarsi alle prospettive tracciate dalle di questo particolare contesto culturale, i miei importante, mi ha permesso di capire come le – oramai quasi 30 anni fa – la cosa più importante non è altro che un gioco pretestuoso di forme, continue metamorfosi delle arti, tenendo ben studi a Ghent erano completamente concentrati persone abitano le loro case; ho scoperto un’arte è sempre stata quella di considerare l’architettura frequentemente stravaganti e difficilmente presente che nell’architettura non vi è evoluzione” sulla ‘forma’ dell’architettura, sulla progettazione di vivere che, più tardi, credo di essere riuscito a una professione dedicata all’umanità; e ciò comprensibili, a volte anche inabitabili. Si estende precisava nel 1992 Sartoris “le nuove generazioni di singoli ‘oggetti’ dalla natura forte e definita. plasmare anche nei miei lavori. significa partire dai luoghi, dalle persone che li sempre più una condizione dell’architettura devono … affrontare e risolvere i problemi inerenti Se guardo indietro al periodo di allora, il mio Sto usando la parola ‘design’, sebbene in realtà abitano e che hanno bisogno di sentirsi protette diffusamente effimera, carente di basi solide e al significato dei luoghi (alla loro storia e al loro approccio calmo e contemplativo nei confronti mi abbia sempre messo a disagio, così come e serene. Attraverso i mobili e gli oggetti che li non legittimate da un pensiero attento e rigoroso. sviluppo), all’architettura come forma, funzione degli spazi e degli oggetti è l’esatto contrario; ma la parola ‘designer’. Forse è perché sono un circondano, cerco di aiutarli a vivere una vita Bisogna allora ritrovarsi in una ricerca disciplinare e geometria territoriale, alla moltiplicazione ero giovane, dovevo ancora formarmi e trovare architetto e vedo le cose con una prospettiva più felice. Questo è il motivo per cui il rapporto con i capace ancora di fondarsi su una salda logica mediterranea degli spazi e delle visioni interne un mio linguaggio. ampia. Per molti anni ho combattuto contro una clienti gioca un ruolo fondamentale. È insieme a compositiva e sulla costruzione di strategici sistemi degli edifici, all’inserimento dell’architettura nel Nel 1985, subito dopo aver terminato gli studi, certa idea superficiale di design, che oggigiorno loro che condivido una visione sull’arte del vivere, di relazione tra le parti. Tutto questo dedicando tessuto urbano non come elemento facente ho incominciato a lavorare presso lo studio di è in realtà una produzione seriale, spesso in cui l’approccio dell’architetto si fonde con le attenzione e misura ai dispositivi, alle gerarchie, ai da sé, ma come corpo creatore di ambienti, Aldo Cibic, uno dei membri fondatori del Gruppo macchiata dalla mediocrità. In passato c’era una aspettative del cliente. L’empatia e la conoscenza meccanismi, ai linguaggi che si rendono necessari atmosfere, climi. … Nell’attuale epoca di crisi e Memphis insieme a Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro certa integrità che ora è andata perduta; ci sono della natura umana sono le qualità più importanti nella costruzione della forma architettonica, della di sconvolgimenti, crisi e sconvolgimenti che il Mendini e molti altri. Penso che sia stato durante pochissimi architetti che prestano attenzione al in architettura, perché non solo ti permettono di struttura della città: dello spazio dell’abitare. mondo conosce da tempi immemorabili – chissà la mia permanenza in Italia che iniziai a elaborare vero benessere. Lo hanno fatto Victor Horta e realizzare progetti migliori per il cliente, ma anche Circa vent’anni fa ebbi una lunga conversazione perché poi alla fine, allora come oggi, il mondo è un approccio più personale al design, una Henry van de Velde in Belgio, Achille Castiglioni di tradurre meglio i concetti ai costruttori del con Alberto Sartoris. Nella sua casa-studio di Rue sempre in un’epoca di crisi e sconvolgimenti – il mia visione che, lentamente, iniziò a costruirsi o Carlo Scarpa in Italia. Ma oggi abbiamo troppe progetto stesso. des Bons Enfants, a Cossanay, nella Svizzera ruolo dell’architettura, dell’urbanismo e perciò della da sola. Ricordo ancora: stavamo ideando e archistar che ignorano ciò che esiste all’interno Mi sto concentrando su quello che viene francese, chiedevo al Maestro, protagonista e vita della città, risulta sempre lo stesso: la ricerca, producendo famiglie di mobili e accessori con delle mura che costruiscono. L’interior design, comunemente definito interior design, ma figura poliedrica del Movimento Moderno, di ogni volta più impellente, della ‘casa della felicità”. il solo obiettivo di creare un senso di qualità e come oggi viene chiamato, non è un’arte minore. non l’ho mai visto come un qualcosa di scisso offrirmi alcune valutazioni sulle possibili prospettive Una bella lezione, che può aiutarci a riportare armonia all’interno della casa. L’approccio era È anzi essenziale e non può essere svalutato: è dall’architettura: gli interni sono architettura. per i nuovi architetti. ordine anche sulla scrivania di Franz Kafka! © MellusoArchitettura sostanzialmente modulare, conforme alla pratica dove tutto trova una propria sintesi. Interni ed esterni sono strettamente intrecciati, OPINIONI A CONFRONTO VINCENT VAN DUYSEN © MellusoArchitettura © VVDA

14 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 15 In questa pagina. In basso: due vedute In alto: veduta interna di degli spazi interni di BS VO Residence. L’accurata Residence. In questo scelta di materiali in caso i materiali rustici, sintonia con le pareti anche se trattati con in mattoni, regala una certa accuratezza, eleganza e raffinatezza evocano la vita rurale. all’abitazione. Pagina a fronte: scorcio A destra: modello del dell’interno della C progetto di una torre Penthouse. Il soffitto residenziale per Jeddah, in cemento e in legno caratterizzato dalla grezzo sono un chiaro scelta del materiale riferimento agli antichi color oro e dalla rigorosa magazzini presenti lungo griglia strutturale visibile la banchina del fiume nei quattro prospetti. Schelda © François Halard e continuo a pensare come architetto anche è anche attraverso questi riferimenti che ho quando si tratta di comporre un interno. Del imparato a giocare con le materie prime per resto, il filo rosso che lega insieme i miei raggiungere quella consapevolezza sensoriale e lavori, su tutte le scale, rimane un’attenzione quella sensualità che spero caratterizzino i miei particolare alla percezione dello spazio progetti. architettonico, da percepire attraverso i sensi: Non sto cercando di inventare nuove forme. uno spazio visivo, tattile, olfattivo. Su tutte le Il mio obiettivo è solo quello di creare spazi scale ho sempre messo al centro il benessere carichi di emozione, con cui le persone vogliano delle persone, in modo rispettoso, nel tentativo relazionarsi e vivere. Ho l’ambizione di farle di donare un’anima e una personalità a degli abitare meglio, creando i luoghi, gli arredi che spazi in cui vivere bene, in cui relazionarsi li aiutano a farlo. E in questa ricerca, non può realmente con gli altri. Circondati da calore, esistere un’architettura dell’interno separata dal bellezza, tranquillità. resto dell’architettura. Del resto, come si può progettare una casa Mi piace che le persone si riferiscano al mio senza conoscerne la ritualità? lavoro parlandone come un qualcosa ‘senza Bisogna essere in grado di percepire le sue tempo’, lo apprezzo, ma per me è importante che funzioni indispensabili, se si vuole darle forma il mio lavoro continui a essere contemporaneo, senza cadere nel formalismo oggi purtroppo sorprendente, e che entri in contatto con le dominante, o nell’high-tech. persone sul piano emotivo. Ci troviamo nel mezzo Devo ammettere di essere distante da queste di un mondo di consumo istantaneo, in cui tutto tendenze. Per esempio, amo i materiali è facile, alla nostra portata, immediato; voglio naturali, come la pietra, il legno e il lino. offrire un contrappeso. Voglio creare spazi per Sono continuamente ispirato da tutta la storia calmare i sensi e permettere di concentrarsi dell’architettura: dai templi egizi di Luxor; sull’istante presente. Tendiamo a essere sempre dalle strutture tribali del Marocco; dalle chiese più distanti dall’essenza di ciò che è l’arte del romane; dal lavoro di Andrea Palladio, Carlo vivere, non sappiamo più cosa significhi. Voglio Scarpa, Tadao Ando, Luis Barragán. I materiali, rallentare e rendere l’uomo più consapevole di ciò le sequenze visive, le proporzioni, l’essenza che lo circonda. È un modo di vivere una vita più

architettonica di questi spazi mi entusiasmano; cosciente. È il solo modo di abitare. © VVDA OPINIONI A CONFRONTO © François Halard © François Halard © Mark Seelen

16 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 l’architetto 02 settembre/ottobre 2018 17 Reggio Calabria has a different from the fact that they associate necessarily refer to a national or page 10 bygone reading, always alive in adequate and authoritative critical exists inside the walls they build. value than doing it in Rome. After the these disciplines with the past. rather international vision. Being at my mind due to the ethical value ‘apparatus’ - construct a description ‘ON DWELLING’ ‘Interior design’, as they call it, is not earthquake, for example, we went This reflection I’m making is deeply the same time the ‘President of the that emerges from the pages of the where architecture is nothing minor. It’s essential and cannot be to Macerata, and there we made linked to one of the themes that I Conference of Rectors’ has therefore A DESK IN DISORDER book. My mind goes towards the but a pretentious play of forms, Vincent Van Duysen devaluated, it’s where it all ends up. our assembly. These are important see today as fundamental: that of allowed me to look at our university incredible Memoirs of Hadrian by frequently extravagant and difficult But let’s go back to us. In 1990 occasions to reflect together in order the digital. Any function that will according to a much broader logic, Vincenzo Melluso Marguerite Yourcenar. A coeval book to understand, sometimes even I began studying architecture I established my own practice: I to build a political agenda common be carried out in the future has understanding what the limits and to Cage’s song, at least in its first unlivable. It is becoming more and in Belgium, in the early 1980s, started putting into practice what I to all the parties. in the digital an indispensable opportunities were and are. Now I have looked more carefully at edition (1951). Here, Yourcenar uses more an architectural condition to at the height of the postmodern had learnt during my apprenticeship. A crucial question, connected to and fundamental instrument. It has reinforced my idea that, today, my desk and I have arrived at the the figure of the Roman emperor be widely ephemeral, lacking in solid period. That was just a few years This consisted into aiming at a highly our profession of architects and Architecture and civil engineering, university training and research conclusion that nothing good can to vigorously support the need for foundations and not legitimized by before the beginning of the purified essentiality, while adapting engineers, is the inexplicable split to renew themselves, must become can be the most important lever to be done. Too many scattered things commitment based on a strong civil a careful and rigorous thought. Deconstructivism practiced by to the story of every environment between the academy on the one protagonists of this revolution. reduce the gaps inherent Italian that create a disorder without any conscience, a great ethical sense. It is therefore necessary to find Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind, and giving care to every detail. Ever hand and the professionals on the And all this is inextricably linked society: having a competitive harmony nor balance between the I feel that I have to remember to us oneself in a disciplinary research that OMA and Coop-Himmelb(l)au, or since this starting moment – now other. It is a legacy of the past, to our country! A country that was university system in the South means disseminated objects, that otherwise all a passage from her book: “... to is still capable of being founded on of Post-deconstructivism with all nearly 30 years ago – the most a past in which mistakes have among the first to start a process rebalancing the country as well. But makes any disorder tolerable. build means to collaborate with the a solid compositional logic and on its related formalisms and colours. important thing has always been to been made that have given rise to of modernization, but which never to do this, we need to get out of a Franz Kafka Earth, to impress the mark of man on the construction of strategic relations Besides from this cultural context, consider architecture as a profession prejudices. ended it. We must contribute to welfare logic towards the universities a landscape that will remain forever between the parties. All this, while my studies at Ghent were completely dedicated to humanity; and that On the one hand, there was an update this country, with all that of the south. We need to understand Nicola Di Battista urges me to write modified; to contribute to the slow giving attention and measure to the focused on ‘form’ and designing means starting from the architecture academic world that looked at technology puts us in place and how to make southern universities on the question of dwelling. He transformation that is the life of the devices, hierarchies, mechanisms, single objects of a decidedly strong of places, whose inhabitants need professionals from top to bottom, all our cultural background. And have a level of competitiveness asks for my point of view. Today, city itself. How much care, to devise languages that become necessary in nature. In retrospect, my own calm, to feel protected and relaxed, also taking advantage of its role modernization also involves making that makes them attractive to it is an interesting challenge to try the exact location of a bridge and the construction of the architectural contemplative approach to spaces right through to the furniture and to have professional profit. On the progress in defining the new roles, young people. From my point of to put order in such crucial issues a fountain, to give a mountain road form, of the structure of the city: and products is the complete the objects around them that are other hand, a professional world today, of architects and engineers. view, it is possible. It takes a strong for the condition of human life, with a curve that is at the same time the of the living space. opposite; but as a young man I necessary to live a comfortable and that has been overly corporate, Let’s take the topic of management, government capacity and targeted the awareness that so much has cheapest and the purest! ... Building About twenty years ago, I had a still had to invent and find my own happy life. which has always thought more for example. In a complex world like policies: policies that look towards been written, by renowned authors, a port means to fertilize the beauty long conversation with Alberto language. We could say that I was This is why, for me, the relationship about defending its role based on today’s, it is important not only to increasing territorial quality. and so much is being written and of a gulf. Establishing libraries Sartoris. In his atelier in Rue des a pupil of postmodernism, but with the client plays an essential the norm rather than the content. build but also to manage the built. What I brought from Naples in my done, sometimes with so many is like building public granaries, Bons Enfants, in Cossanay, the soon enough I started looking for role. It’s together with them that I This situation has not only removed So why should management not national experience is precisely the misunderstandings at the base. gathering reserves against a ‘winter French-speaking part of Switzerland, something else. relish a vision on the art of living, the world of professions from the be done by an architect or a civil concept of diversity. The south is I’ll try anyways. of the spirit’ that from many clues, I asked the ‘Maestro’, a protagonist In 1985, right after finishing my in which the architect’s approach world of universities but has also engineer, who have the capacity, traditionally, and Naples in particular, In this attempt to put order in some of unfortunately, I see coming “. and multifaceted figure of the studies, I spent the early years of merges with the client’s expectation. created conflicts. Never as in the vision and the cultural baggage a place capable of metabolizing my considerations regarding subject, It undoubtedly is a great example Modern Movement, to offer me my career immersed in the world of I tailor spaces in which they can this moment we must bring these to do so? Instead, our world has diversity. Naples was a great I would like to proceed through some to the need to give meaning to some evaluations on the possible furniture and interior design. feel comfortable. Empathy and two worlds together. Because delegated this profession to others, capital, a place where plebs and ‘loans’. Starting to write, two different things. This is what is required in perspectives for the new architects. My first working experience was knowledge of human nature are the professions need to update as if it considered managing nobility stood in the same building. experiences come back to my mind: the construction of the dimension His answer was certainly not a an internship at the studio of Aldo the most important qualities in themselves coherently with the times something minor. It has delegated I tried to bring the goodness of one linked to music, the other to of dwelling: a rediscovered ethical simple formula, nor a slogan like Cibic, one of the founding members architecture, because you not we’re living, to become aware of it to other professionals which by this conviction: the ability not to literature. Experiences, therefore, not value in our actions. It is therefore the many who besiege us today, of the Memphis Group together with only make better designs for the what has changed and therefore to ‘nature’, due to their formation, do separate, but to put together, which exactly inherent of the discipline of a matter of going back to resume but a dense and rich concentration Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini client, but you can also translate reform. And the university needs the not have the right skills. Today, our is much more difficult. the architectural project, but certainly a path that, I fear, has been lost in of experiences and knowledge and many others. It was during my the concepts better to the project’s professions, because it must teach profession must regain possession I would like to continue in this contiguous and often overlapping. In recent times, particularly in . on which I had several times, stay in Italy that I think my personal builders. Unfortunately, there are the theory but also the know-how, of these spaces, without limiting direction by influencing formation this circumstance, I consider quoting A track that needs to be rebuilt even after the meeting, reflected view on design started to build itself. very few architects that pay attention and a job is learned only by doing herself to the idea that the and research with this idea of this them extremely useful to attest my as distant as possible from the and now, in this circumstance, I I remember we were composing to wellbeing. it. In other areas this commonality is professional activity consists only contamination. We have already point of view. search for clamor, too often useless, would like to quote: “To conform families of furniture and accessories I’m concentrating myself on what much stronger, just look at medicine in that of the designer, according to begun to do so: the renovation of I am aware of how many similarities and very often marked by self- to the perspectives traced by the aimed at creating a sense of quality is commonly referred as ‘interior where it is historically so, and this an almost nineteenth-century view the San Giovanni area I was talking can be found between the referentiality. continuous metamorphosis of the and harmony within the home. The design’, but I would like to underline gives it an extraordinary strength. of the figure of the architect and the before has brought together very composition of a piece of music and a We architects have a task of great arts, bearing in mind that there is approach was basically modular, how I’ve never seen it as being We should make a common agenda civil engineer. different skills, private enterprise and literary text. By means of conception, civil responsibility in having to think no evolution in architecture” stated compliant to the practice of those severed from architecture: interiors in which we define the project The training profiles must be university. sensitivity and evocative charge, about spaces for living. In this sense Sartoris in 1992 “the new generations days; yet, the furniture described are architecture. Interiors and of what it means today to “do reviewed in a radical way. In a But above all, I would like to use we certainly can associate them to it is necessary that, especially the must ... face and solve the problems space in an architectural manner. exteriors are closely interwoven. And architecture” and “do engineering” world that changes so fast, having the new technologies to ensure that architectural construction, therefore to new generations, apply themselves inherent the meaning of places (their And this appealed to me. I persist in thinking as an architect in Italy, and then pursue it together. basic skills is fundamental; only the cultural heritage of which we the space of dwelling. to their tasks with greater measure, history and their development), After this experience in , I even when dealing with ‘interior Otherwise, we will be completely by having these, one can adapt are large depositors may become a Just in recent days, I was listening taking care to acquire the awareness inherent the idea of architecture worked with decorators such as Jean design’. The guideline shared by overwhelmed: we must rebuild to those changes. The university more shared asset: not only for few, again to some tunes by the of how much (and how variegated) as a form, function and territorial De Meulder in my home country. This my works, at all scales, remains a ourselves starting from our skills must therefore maintain, as it is in but for all. The great distances that extraordinary American musician John thinking there may be around geometry, inherent the Mediterranean was for me an important period to particular focus on perception of and the redefinition of the role we its tradition, this basic formative are there today in society, are often Cage; amongst them, I remember one architecture. multiplication of spaces and internal understand how people live in their space: visual and sensory, physical, have in society, or else there will function. And, at the same time, due to cultural distances. If we could in particular: In a Landscape. A song A consideration that can include visions of buildings, inherent the homes, to somehow discover an tactile. And at all scales I have always be a marginalization of we must be able to look at our have a more popular and shared composed by Cage in the now distant considerable inducement in insertion of architecture into the art of living, so that I could mould it, always put the wellbeing of people our technical professions. Even professional figures in the logic of culture, we would have solved most 1948, seventy years ago. Why do I conceiving the places of dwelling. urban fabric, not as an element later on, into my works. at the center, in a respectful way, to more so today, where the territorial their modernity. Which means that of our problems. And this is to be remember it, in this circumstance? Starting from these initial thoughts, making self, but as a creator body I’m using the word design, but in fact grant soul and personality to spaces proximity has been lost, among today the architects, the engineers, done starting with the University. Because of its extraordinary ability my conviction is based on the idea of environments, atmospheres, I have always felt uncomfortable with in which to live well and relate well many other reasons, due to the great can no longer be just designers. to bring together modernity and that in order to build adequate climates. ... In the current era of crisis the words design or designer. Maybe to others. Amidst warmth, beauty, revolution of digital technology. The The building process is increasingly knowledge of the past, innovation spaces of dwelling, it first is and upheavals, crises and upheavals it’s because I’m an architect and I tranquility. sense of community and place has complex: the engineer and the and tradition, in a delicate and necessary to learn how to see. that the world has actually always see things in a wider perspective. After all, how can you design a disappeared. architect are not only creative refined balance, through a deep We must train ourselves and known - who knows why, in the end, For some years I’ve been battling house if you can’t understand its Dwelling, building, have not been figures, but they are also the knowledge of the musical discipline then commit to understand what as much yesterday as today, the with design, which nowadays in rituality? You must be able to sense able to defend their modernity. integrators of a process, they must and its history. Cage creates surrounds us, how the reality that world is always in an era of crisis reality is serial production, often its indispensable functions, if you They seemed an old thing, a trivial be able to manage this complexity. extraordinary atmospheres, and the we observe is composed and and upheaval - the role of tainted by mediocrity. In the past, want to give it form without straying comfort, and this led to a de- The experience of the ‘Rectors song just mentioned is one of his most how the relations that crosses architecture , of urbanism and there was a certain integrity which into today’s dominant formalism or skilling of professional activity and Conference’ helped me to define engaging ones: a real ‘harmony’. it are characterized. Mine, it’s a therefore of the life of the city, it is is now gone; there are very few high-tech. I must avow a love of a removal of young people from it. these ideas. Being its president Is it, perhaps, exactly what today call to give meaning to our doing. always the same: the ever more architects that pay attention to natural materials, such as stone, The fact that our future generations and, at the same time, rector of the is missing in our cities? In, said A reflection that arises from the compelling search for the ‘house wellbeing. Victor Horta and Henry wood and linen, and a constant no longer see today in architecture ‘Federico II’ University in Naples otherwise, the human settlement by observation of the tools that today, of happiness’ “ . Van de Velde did. The same in Italy inspiration from the Egyptian or civil engineering one of their first was important. The ‘Federico II’ ‘antonomasia’, the way of living in in an ever greater and more A nice lesson, which can help us with Achille Castiglioni or Carlo temples in Luxor; the tribal structures choices, derives not only from the University, one of the first three in modernity? diversified number, in terms of bring order even on Franz Kafka’s Scarpa. But today, we have too many of Morocco; the Roman churches; fact that there is little work, but also Italy, pursues a policy that must Now my memory turns herself to a form and content - often without an desk! star-architects who disregard what or the work of Andrea Palladio,

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Carlo Scarpa, Tadao Ando and Luis page 18 authentic life that belongs to the with the historical substance in all consideration traditional parcellation, page 28 for their community, the whole ideas, draw upon new forms, whose Barragán. The materials, the visual urban structure and its architecture is their aspects, based on a social public space and traditional and natural feeling for place. This life is just beginning to affirm itself. sequences, the spatial proportions, not yet extinguished. This is the point responsibility. In this way, our materiality. By doing so, new quarters need, though widely and deeply If this is so, today it is the fascinating the architectural essence of these TOWARDS AN ITALIAN in which the Italian historical centers profession would again be required. have risen, districts that the tourist ARCHITECTURE felt, unfortunately has generally and difficult task of architecture to spaces thrill me; it is also through have arrived today, with Rome And architecture, in the original cannot distinguish from the medieval been answered by ineffective and discern whether separate forms are these references that I learned to ARCHITECTURAL CULTURE ahead: where preservation, given sense, still be possible. Architecture ones and even we architects have COMMUNITY unsuitable solutions. capable, by their own consistency play with archaism and raw materials FOR EUROPE it is profitable for tourism, is driving would have a future in Europe. difficulties to recognize the breaking AND URBAN PLANNING In fact, the convinction that feelings and nature, of finding their proper to reach the physical awareness away the inhabitants, the workers It would certainly be risky. However, point between the old and the new. must be respected, the desire to position in the larger place where and sensuality of my projects. I’m Hans Kollhoff and finally the tourists; what remains why wouldn’t a country like Italy, Only a little at a time, with careful Adriano Olivetti share in the anxieties, the hopes they are intended to take material not trying to invent new forms. My is a dull shopping center. Where the based on its heritage and its historical observation, we notice the balconies, and fears of a people, have shape. A mountain flower knows goal is just to create spaces and The ‘future’ has become a marketing ancient materiality of the city does experience, be confident enough the horizontal windows and then On sending this new architectural more than once turned the new is itself how to grow amidst vast interiors and furniture that are loaded slogan at the service of dubious not appear profitable, the detoriation to revitalize this tradition, building the exposed concrete, whose review to press, we should like to architectural expression from its true silences and perennial snows. with emotion, that people want to politics and of the exploitation of the takes over and along with it the decay in continuity with the historical city, surface has been hammered and give the reader, in a brief examination sense. Instead of being a luxuriant In the same way the architect knows embrace and live with. quality of life in European cities, due to of the structure of the city which has rather than fear the destructive forces for this reason today has such a of our purpose, some idea of the growth from the old roots, renewing, that his work is inseparable and I have the ambition of making people shameless mass consumption. been handed down to us. of ignorance, stupidity and the pursuit beautiful patina. Yes, precisely in this problems that have concerned the purifying and exalting the new indissoluble from the environment. live better, creating the places, the The dead capital has always been Seen under this point of view, the of profit? The Superintendence must cautious reconciliation with traditional editors, and that may offer a cultural needs of human souls, architectonic In his creative interpretation he spaces, the furnishings that help the only one taking advantage of Superintendence is both a blessing face the debate, it can no longer craftsmanship, one discovers the justification for their efforts. The language has impoverished itself in becomes a town planner, whether them in living well. And in this quest, the ‘future’ and of ‘progress’, while and a curse. This is precisely why it hide behind the mixture of nepotism fascination of the great work of supernational contribution of Zodiac formal and often demagogic tribute he wants to or not. Town planning there cannot exist an architecture of the landscapes, the villages and the will have to change its philosophy, an and a doubtful ideology of historic Florentine post-war reconstruction, would not be enough in itself to justify to folklore. The process of taking root and architecture intermingle, and the interior, separated from the rest cities are sold off together with their anachronistic philosophy that belongs preservation. Europe should not even though the modernist architect our undertaking: it should be said that that we have in mind, however, is one the first includes the second: there of the architecture. culture and the life of their inhabitants. herself to the misery of modernity, be afraid, as the French President may still be inclined to turn up his among us there is a loftier intention with the birth of the new community, is no escaping this condition. I like people referring to my work as The trivialization of the environment to the misery of feeling superior to Emmanuel Macron recently said. nose. If coming from Palazzo Pitti even if, we fear, its full realization may through which spiritual world and The relationship between the timeless, but for me it is important and the consequent brutalization the old and the proven. Moreover, Europe is based on democratic we look towards the north side of be beyond our powers. material world are reconciled as a architect and «his» community for my work to continue being of social habits are reaching today the modernist trend, a globalized debates, on a common culture of free the Lungarno and between the Uffizi The architect, alone or as the unity, and to which the architect is will become his law, his moral contemporary, surprising, and to a dimension that can silence any “architecture” mainstream, has exchange of opinions, on the idea of and the Palazzo di Ferragamo, we recognized leader of a group assisting called to create its new, unmistakable conscience, and will mark his reach people at an emotional level. pompous debate on architecture and degenerated into a vulgar marketing the sublime and of beauty. These are observe a lively and articulate front, and interpreting him, is a natural physiognomy. creative participation in the birth of While we find ourselves in the middle urbanism, if it were not for the fact that tool, having nothing at all to do with not values only for intellectuals. Such composed of a succession of old, participant in the forms, in the new The concept of a real, well-rooted the new community, illuminated by of a world of instant consumption, architects are actors and pilots in this the ideals of modernity and even less talk has not been heard by German restructured and reconstructed directions ever more vividly marked community corresponds to two the spiritual flame of those who will where everything is easy within our unworthy game. In this context, putting with serious urban design or with politicians for too long. I would be buildings, juxtaposed in a playful out by the thought and cultural profound and vital necessities: have nurtured it with the substance reach and is immediate through the word “future” in our mouths is serious architecture. surprised, however, if the Italian and incomparable complexity; from developments of his time. From the 1. The creation of a new democratic of their humanity. social media, I want to offer a tendentious and irresponsible. ‘Future’ The challenge for us architects, today, politicians, representatives of our this example, we can understand sea of the unconscious in which these authority, culturally stable, fertile, To this end, may it become a place counterbalance. I want to create is contaminated. would be this: to oppose globalized Roman-European culture, would not that history and modernity do not forms are stirred into life, emerge elevated, and able to build the where man can cultivate his heart, spaces to calm down the senses I will talk about something that contemporary trends, of what still follow Macron. necessarily have to stand one like shining islands the precepts of new city, which will live through the embellish his soul and refine his and to focus on the instant present. today, in Italy, is not allowed to be calls itself architecture by means There would be something new to do against the other in a contrasting the masters and geniuses who were omogeneous, organic and unitary mind; where the city of man can As an architect, I need to take the done, Weiterbauen: to continue of a real renewal of architecture, a in the old cities for us architects, from or even hostile way. Michelucci left the first to reveal them to us. These choice that will go to make it up. finally begin to evolve toward the responsibility to make people aware building with the matter inherited to renaissance that arises in continuity whose architecture we could again us a marvelous example. His early forms, as we know, have been subject This vigilant and devoted authority, City of God. of the art of living. People tend us with the historical centers. This with our heritage - not as its mere learn for our craft, rediscovering the sketches of post-war reconstruction to a profound evolution as historical the «new client» who is neither to deepen themselves less in the means expanding, superimposing, repetition, but as continuous building joy of working, once again proud of showed megastructures coming circumstances have changed; so that the private citizen nor the State, essence of what life is all about, they restructuring and sometimes even to extend the consolidated repertoire what we have created. We would no from another planet, terraced houses today they have an inner meaning that is lacking in modern society; and don’t know what dwelling means demolishing and building new again, handed down to us by history. And longer be condemned to accept the floating on a highway along the is not yet completely evident, since this lack is the root of many evils. anymore. I want to slow down and provided the new fits into the historical this renaissance cannot follow any absurdity of the periphery, which will Lungarno, just as along the East a crisis is still ent in which the liberal Once the new Authority has been make people more aware of what context without being inferior in terms other principle but a tectonic one. On still torment us in the future with its River in Manhattan. Two years later, world entered into in the process of established, the problem is reduced surrounds us. It’s a way of living a of quality. Until the early sixties, in Italy, the other hand, the Superintendence globalized form that brings along with Michelucci built a remarkable building developing. From the mom-crisis on to a dialogue between the Authority more conscious life. it still was possible to do so; from that must move away from the absurd her devastating consequences for on the corner of a block in via de the morrow of the first world war, the and the architect or architects it has moment on, however, an architecture assumption, which assumes that human coexistence. ‘Guicciardini, and not far from it a old architecture also went into crisis. chosen. The current discussions that was initially only seen in the the new must constantly stand in No other country like Italy has modest but grandiose little building A new human kind awaits now with on architecture will become more suburbs and rarely appeared in the contrast to the old, as appearance of the potential to take a conscious that I go back to observe every time anxiety, in every field, the means of its felicitous and less sterile. city, began to establish herself, even in the “Zeitgeist”. If this renaissance of position towards globalization while I’m in Florence, because I still have own redemption. 2. Generations are needed to give the historical centers. The architecture architecture will find the way to our remaining faithful to its culture. I am not found the key to understand it: its It must accordingly be admitted that life to a true community. How many of modernity that wanted to be profession and if we architects will not speaking about Milan which, presence has something Japanese, in our epoch of transition, there is a centuries did the building of revolutionary, posing itself in opposition be able again to continue building prone to American capitalism, is while at the same time it coherently crisis in the values of architecture. take, and how many years were to traditional urban architecture. The on a high level, there would no accepting neighborhoods that could inserts itself in this extraordinary But the many uncertainties and needed to give Pisa’s Piazza dei common people in Italy perceived longer be any reason on the part appear as well in China or Abu context. disorientation from which it suffers Miracoli its present form? Thus, this architecture as a stranger, as an of the Superintendence to forbid Dhabi. We should be careful not to We Europeans, and especially you are the result of the uncertainties continuity in time, a tenacious enemy of their own culture and as us access to the historical centers. mimic the American model. We need Italians, with your marvelous culture, and disorientation existing in the continuous labor of research destruction of the city. This is why the We won’t have to dispose of the a culture-based policy in Europe, which up to now has harmonized ideological field, consequent on and refinement is required. Superintendence (historic preservation Superintendence, but to open a guided by living culture rather than an herself with the admirable ideal of a deviations from and renunciations of The physiognomy of the new city authority) established herself, and competent architectural debate with economic-financial force. Therefore, shared social life that is manifested an upright conscientiousness in the cannot be entrusted to the fancy began to prohibit in the historical it, leaving aside the administrative in architecture we need a dynamic also in the architecture of the human person. (This is seen in certain of one man, but to a system, (a centers what over the centuries had fury of an anachronistic ideology: that comes from our heritage, from historical centers, have something headlong programs formulated in the civilization, culturally decentralized). always happened in a completely its privilege of being a State in the architectural substance of the else to counter to uncontrolled name of the people, as in the rush to The psychology of form and the natural way: to continue building with the State, sometimes bordering historical centers which made globalization and all the right, adopt schemes which though new and concept of «field» which today the historical substance. From that with divine intangibility, cannot be this living culture possible, and indeed the duty, to be an example apparently suited to the environment appear to be among the most moment on, the marvelous centers of tolerated longer. There is a need for symbolizes it until today. for the world. I love this land and its in which they were born, soon show advanced discoveries of modern Italian cities have not been ruined by a liberating public discourse able For what reason shouldn’t be possible inhabitants, its cities, its buildings. I themselves to be inconsistent with the psychology, are a solace to us in our modern architecture anymore, and to reduce bureaucracy and social also today the commendable and and who else would not very much new habitation). It is then necessary undertaking. Eupalinos, conjured rightfully so. However, they have been snobbism, leaving space for younger radical change of paradigm that like to be able to redesign an ancient resolutely to turn to the happy, up and relived by Valery, saw in the transformed into the largest museums generations. What is lacking is a has happened in Florence, around building and to realize something determinant necessity, that which constructed temple the features, in the world from which, step by step, competent and incorruptible authority Ponte Vecchio, after the destruction new which is recognizable only at sooner or later is destined to triumph and with these the harmony, of the normal life draws back, overwhelmed that supports the Superintendence of the war: from a monstrous a second glance, starting from its over uncertainties, obstacles and beloved young girl. The architect now by the predominant globalized tourism. as a mediator between collective conception of modernization to respectable state. Something of immaturity: the necessity, the need senses within himself new and more This tourism, which seems to be the memory and individual life, in the a sensitive relationship with the which Aldo Rossi, Ernesto Rogers, for taking root, for finding again in intense impulses, more complex only economic foundation of the old interest of new works to be built, heritage handed down to us, towards and perhaps even Brunelleschi and the earth, in landscape, in traditions, motives; the «fields» that give him cities, will work well as long as the which intend to measure themselves a new architecture that takes into Palladio would have rejoiced for. architectonic forms, the love of men expression and nourish him with

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