Restoration of the City

Gustavo Giovannoni: The historiographical method; theoretical positions on

restoration

- Restoration operations in 19th-century Italy aimed to free up historic city areas.

- The focus shifted from single buildings to entire cities and their historic centers.
- Narrow, irregular roads in these centers struggled with modernization-related issues.
- Baron Haussmann's urban program in Paris inspired similar efforts in Italy.
- The program involved opening new straight boulevards by sacrificing parts of the old fabric.
- Surrounding architecture was designed to align with the new roads.

- European and Italian cities adopted a practice called "gutting" in the late 19th century.
- Naples experienced a severe cholera epidemic in 1884 due to poor hygiene in the historic
center.
- Using the law on expropriation for public utility, Naples launched a reorganization plan in
1885, including the creation of a long straight road (c.so Umberto I) that cut through the old
city fabric without considering the existing road network.

- Naples, 1885: Rehabilitation efforts after the cholera epidemic of 1884.

- Naples rehabilitation law, 1884: Expropriation permitted for public utility.
- Key actions: Creation of straight and wide streets (corso Umberto), "guttings" and
demolitions to address hygiene issues, unification of building types and facades.

Camillo Sitte

- Widespread opposition to the model of urban renewal emerged.

- German theorists, led by Camillo Sitte, protested against evictions and alterations to the
oldest city centers.
- Sitte's 1889 book, "The Art of Building Cities," advocated for designing new cities and
suburbs that preserve the spirit of ancient cities, emphasizing curved roads, gradual spatial
perception, and the deliberate arrangement of buildings around squares.

- Sitte's theories gained popularity in Europe, particularly in Belgium known for its focus on
architectural heritage conservation.
- Brussels' Burgomaster, Charles Buls, aimed to renew the city's historic fabric while
preserving certain formal characteristics.
- Buls chose a curved path instead of a straight axis when creating a new road to the Royal
Palace, respecting the existing layout and the adjacent ancient buildings.

- Buls approached urban development differently from Haussmann, integrating new streets
with the old city fabric.
- His essay emphasized the artistic aspect of cities and spatial design, not conforming to
traditional urban planning concepts.
- Buls' influential lecture at AACAR in Rome (1903) promoted stylistic restoration and
presented innovative ideas for redesigning the historic city.

- AACAR aimed for stylistic restoration, exemplified by S. Maria in Cosmedin in Rome.

- Despite an in-depth study, the restoration resulted in the loss of the important
eighteenth-century façade.

- The principles of philology developed in the late 19th century laid the groundwork for later
ideas and actions.
- Camillo Sitte's studies broadened the scope of interest beyond individual monuments.
- The concept of a monument expanded to include a greater appreciation for minor
architecture.

Gustavo Giovannoni
- Gustavo Giovannoni (1873-1947) is a prominent figure in 20th-century restoration and a
key member of AACAR (Associazione Artistica fra i Culturi di Architettura a Roma).
- Giovannoni, an engineer and architectural historian, focuses on Renaissance and ancient
Roman architecture and publishes numerous studies.
- He emphasizes the importance of history in architectural design, in contrast to the
contemporary-focused Bauhaus school.
- Giovannoni plays a significant role in establishing the Faculty of Architecture, shaping the
teaching model in Italy.
- Despite being overshadowed by Marcello Piacentini in the fascist regime, Giovannoni's
influence is seen in competitions and public works restorations.
- He develops the "Teoria del diradamento" (Theory of Thinning), warning against
indiscriminate demolition and proposing strategic interventions in historic centers.
- One example is the proposed transformation of Piazza Navona into a straight axis, which
Giovannoni criticizes in favor of small demolitions and openings to allow ancient buildings to
coexist with modern needs.
- The aim is to balance practical advantages with aesthetic improvements, creating breathing
spaces, improved circulation, and preserving the ancient city's character.

Giovanni Proposal

- Giovannoni suggests operating within the ancient city like a surgeon, respecting its
typology and morphology.
- The intervention requires a knowledgeable technician who understands urban planning and
architectural history.
- The new faculty of Architecture aims to cultivate professionals with these skills.
- The concept of thinning proposed by Giovannoni aims to integrate ancient and modern
cities while preserving the identity of the former, but it is overshadowed by the preference for
more drastic demolitions under the fascist regime.
- Giovannoni's thought on restoration focuses on understanding the history and organism of
buildings.
- He engages in a controversy with Adolfo Venturi regarding the interpretation of architecture
as an organism.
- Giovannoni emphasizes the importance of studying buildings in both space and time.
- He proposes five levels of intervention on architectural heritage, each with increasing
impact on the building.

Consolidation
● The first level of intervention proposed by Giovannoni is consolidation,
which aims to restore the structural stability of buildings.
● Modern techniques are used for hidden consolidation to maintain the
compactness of the structures.
● An example of consolidation is the restoration of the Loggia of the
Palazzo dei Papi in Viterbo, where columns were reinforced with a
hidden reinforced concrete beam while preserving the ancient
columns.
Reassembly (anastylosis)
● The second level of intervention proposed by Giovannoni is
reassembly, which involves restoring fallen blocks or fragments of
monuments.
● There are two methods of reassembly: direct anastylosis using only
original ashlars, and indirect anastylosis that may involve using new
parts for easier reconstruction.
Liberation
● The third level of intervention proposed by Giovannoni is liberation,
which involves removing architectural additions that are considered
extraneous to the historical building.
● This process aims to highlight the architectural organism and restore
its spatial coherence, rather than focusing on the building's style.
Completation
● The fourth level proposed by Giovannoni is completion, which involves
filling gaps in the building while maintaining a clear distinction between
the old and new parts.
● The completion should not imitate the style of the ancient building but
instead follow its basic scheme and adhere to the principles of
simplicity.
Innovation
● The fifth level proposed by Giovannoni is innovative restoration, which
involves adding new parts to the building while maintaining its
architectural value and incorporating new functions.
● This type of restoration allows for a blend of old and new elements,
where the new additions are designed to complement or harmonize
with the ancient building in style and spirit.
Giovannoni states that:
- Restoration requires the architect to be a historian, builder, and artist, paying attention to
every detail and considering environmental conditions.
- Giovannoni disapproves of stylistic restoration and emphasizes the importance of scientific
restoration, preserving the monument's integrity and documenting the process.
- He advocates for maintenance, repair, and consolidation, respecting every part of the
monument.
- Proper intended use and distinguishing between "dead" and "living" monuments are
important factors in restoration.
- Analytical history and collaboration between experts are necessary for a comprehensive
understanding of a monument's construction and artistic features.
- Giovannoni opposes renovation and reconstruction in style, but also criticizes excessive
new additions that diminish the monument's character.
- He tends to lean towards renovation works, prioritizing innovative features while still
considering conservation needs.
- Giovannoni's notable restoration work includes the Arch of Augustus in Rimini and the
Vatican church of Santo Stefano, where distinctiveness and prominence were emphasized in
the intervention.

Intervention on the church of S. Andrea in Orvieto (1930)

- 6th century: first plant of the building
- 11th-12th century: a new church is superimposed on the original structure, then
finished in 1500
- 16th century: the nave was rebuilt
- The bell tower forms a hinge between the church and the town hall
- 1926-30: restoration that brings to light the walls of the primitive church, remains of a
mosaic floor and fragments of barriers and plutei

- Giovannoni removed the upper part of the bell tower and rebuilt it with a mullioned
window in three sections.
- The tower was stripped of plaster, covered with stone, and topped with battlements
similar to those of the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. However, the planned metal
structure to support the bell was not constructed.
- On the facade, Giovannoni removed the tympanums, replaced a large rectangular
window with a rose window, and added two splayed openings corresponding to the
aisles.
- Giovannoni separated the building from the nearby structures and replaced them
with a portico.

Intervention on the church of S. Stefano degli Abissini. Roma (1931-33)

- The building was originally built in the 5th century and underwent changes in the late
1400s.
- Major restoration work was done in the early 1700s.
- Giovannoni's restoration focused on using modern materials and techniques,
simplifying shapes, and separating the building from surrounding structures.
- Minimal program
- Authentic structures were preserved, and modern additions were marked through
simplified forms or inscriptions.
- The building was reinforced with external buttresses and solid iron beams.