{"id":5758,"date":"2013-11-05T07:10:41","date_gmt":"2013-11-05T06:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anitasfeast.com\/blog\/?p=5758"},"modified":"2019-05-25T09:29:40","modified_gmt":"2019-05-25T08:29:40","slug":"rationalist-architecture-along-viale-della-liberta-forli-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anitasfeast.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/rationalist-architecture-along-viale-della-liberta-forli-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Rationalist architecture along Viale della Libert\u00e0 in Forl\u00ec, Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Architecture

The Comune di Forl\u00ec has taken a leadership role in the European Union’s Atrium Project, studying and preserving the architecture of the period. Forl\u00ec itself is a museum of these buildings. We were surprised at how interesting the architecture turned out to be, and to learn the stories behind some of its best examples.<\/p>\n

 The appeal of rationalist architecture<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Architecture

I like Cubism, and the aesthetics of rationalist architecture appeal to me: clean straight lines and repetitive architectural elements: doors, windows and columns. I also appreciate that rationalist buildings are functional, and how some elements are used to express strength and power. The implementation of rationalist architecture in Forl\u00ec created large buildings with powerful lines. They were characterized by symmetries, classic architectural details and features such as marble slab coating, and rhythmic use of  columns and arches.<\/p>\n

Six buildings viewed in our walk highlight the style changes of the \u2018Ventennio\u2019. Here is a look at key elements of their fa\u00e7ades.<\/p>\n

Stazione Ferroviaria (Train station)<\/b><\/h3>\n

We started at the train station, our introduction to rationalist architecture in Forl\u00ec. Completed in 1925, this building shows the end of the Neoclassical era and the beginning of the rationalist period. Designed by Enzio Bianchi, the station is Cubist in form, with decorations left over from the Neoclassical period.<\/p>\n

\"Architecture

As we walked along Viale della Libert\u00e0, we could see that by 1941, the influence of Cubism had grown, and decorations had been reduced to purely architectural elements: arches over windows, and overhangs on roofs and columns.<\/p>\n

 Case I.N.C.I.S. (Worker’s residences)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Buildings on either side of Viale della Libert\u00e0 at Viale Andrea Costa were built as residences for railroad workers and public employees. Socially, these buildings were significant: they were the first homes for Italian workers to offer amenities such as indoor plumbing, heating and electricity. These functional buildings had shops at ground level and living spaces above. They were designed by Paolo Angella and completed in 1933.<\/p>\n

Built in the shape of Neoclassical villas, the buildings’ exteriors show a transition to rationalist architecture using simple materials. Architectural patterns appeared only in the front, lower walls imitated travertine and upper fa\u00e7ades were constructed of brick and mortar.<\/p>\n

\"Architecture

Scuola Elementare (Elementary school)<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the next block, the Scuola Elementare, designed by Arnaldo Fuzzi, was built in 1932. The building set an example of repetition of architectural elements as decoration, both for windows and the fence. It also makes use of an ancient material, bricks.<\/p>\n

\"Architecture