Category Archives: Italy

An Architectural Gesture?

If the commentators on this early photograph (1850s) of the Roman architect Luigi Canina (1795-1856) ascribe his discreet ‘horn’ gesture to superstition regarding the Evil Eye, what might be the meaning of Andrea Palladio’s right hand in his portrait by … Continue reading

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Sverre Fehn (1924-2009): Nordic Pavilion, Venice

A film made by a group of Manchester School of Architecture students as part of the History of Architecture course. More fieldtripfilms

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Notes from Rome

James Robertson, the Rome Scholar in Architecture, is approximately half way through his period at the British School at Rome. His research on the ecclesiastical architecture of Jack Coia has revealed many parallels in the twentieth century churches of Rome. … Continue reading

Posted in Aventinus, Churches, CiA, Friends & Acquaintances, Italy, Research, Rome | 1 Comment

Back to school

Basilica Palladiana: Geometry studies by Sophie Corkhill, BArch student Manchester School of Architecture.

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Five Hundred Years of Andrea Palladio

Andrea di Pietro della Gondola, born 30 November 1508. The Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza. The red plan is Palladio’s design as depicted in his Quattro Libri. The black plan is the structure as built, incorporating elements of the previous buildings … Continue reading

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The ‘high game’ of Palladio

The recent lecture by Peter Eisenman in Liverpool affirmed the current interests of one group of CiA students in the work of Andrea Palladio. Eisenman declared his faith in the value of drawing as a demonstration of thought, in contrast … Continue reading

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Palladio 500 Anni: La Grande Mostra

The exhibition (LINK) celebrating the quincentenary of the birth of Andrea Palladio currently at the Palazzo Barabaran da Porto in Vicenza (until January 6 2009 and then transferring to the Royal Academy of Arts in London) is a stunning collection … Continue reading

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Restauro della Basilica Palladiana

Palladio’s Basilica in Vicenza is undergoing an intensive period of restoration. The stonework is being cleaned and repaired and the famous curving roof is being replaced. On a recent CiA visit it was possible to witness the individual sections being … Continue reading

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Let us now praise famous men…

Revisiting Roma Interrotta. (Standard CiA camera salute – Ed.)

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Olivetti Showroom

Carlo Scarpa was commissioned to design the Olivetti Showroom in 1956 and the work was completed over the next couple of years. The site was awkward, long and thin, and at about four meters high, hardly able to support a … Continue reading

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and…and…and…and…

Venice Architecture Biennale 2008: A Movie See also our earlier review.

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Out there: The Venice Biennale

The vast exhibition of contemporary architecture which is the Venice Biennale (curated by Aaron Betsky) opened last weekend in a stormy atmosphere which made the exhibitions oases of rather damp calm, despite the unsettling, luxurious aspirations of some of the … Continue reading

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