Restoring Modern Architecture in Europe by the work of Marcello Piacentini: The case of the Italian Simplified Neoclassicism [NB-EINS]

Duration of the project: July 1st 2017 - June 30th 2020

The overall aim of the presented research is to provide solutions for complex restoration problems in Modern concrete Architecture using the example of the architectures of Marcello Piacentini. A novel approach to research is proposed here: a reading of the work of Marcello Piacentini regardless of the Fascist Party Architecture and with respect to contextual architectural movements. Especially it is investigated here the use – in former times - of innovative building materials and construction methodologies not applied yet. Thus, based on extensive knowledge of the engineering practice of the epoch and building techniques in Modern Italy, we want to provide solutions to degradation pathologies typical of early-concrete structures. To this purpose, the architectures of the young Piacentini, which were built during the "Grande Ricostruzione" of the cities of Reggio Calabria and Messina - following the 1905 and 1908 earthquakes - will be investigated researching on the influence of the technical standards "for repairs, renovations and new construction of public and private buildings in the municipalities hit by the 1908 earthquake and earlier events" on the way of thinking about architecture of Marcello Piacentini. In particular, the case studies of (i.) the National Museum of Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria and (ii.) the Tribunal of Messina will be examined and compared to (iii.) the case study of the Roman E.U.R. district. Additional to this, research in archives will be conducted within the State Archive of Reggio Calabria and the private archives of Marcello Piacentini respectively located in the libraries of the Faculties of Architecture at the Universities of Rome La Sapienza and Florence.

Thus, the work of Piacentini is examined by connecting, yet simultaneously dividing his role of formal planner of the fascist regime and his character of architect, who wants “to tree modern design to express itself as equivalent to the older forms”.²

^{2 _{Terry Kirk (2012). The Architecture of Modern Italy, Volume II: Visions of Utopia, 1900-Present. Princeton Architectural Press}}

Contact: Dott. Ric. Roberta Fonti