Architect Roberto D'Agostino opposes Palazzo dei Diamanti expansion in Ferrara
Roberto D'Agostino, one of the architects who drafted Ferrara's 1975 urban plan, strongly criticizes the planned expansion of Palazzo dei Diamanti. He argues that altering a historic building of such architectural significance is culturally regressive, regardless of the design's quality. The plan, won by a consortium including 3TI PROGETTI, Labics, Elisabetta Fabbri, and Vitruvio s.r.l., has sparked debate. D'Agostino contends that the participatory planning process of the 1970s established Ferrara as a model for historic preservation, treating the historic center as a single monument where contemporary architecture should only intervene in non-historic areas. He dismisses arguments about historical stratification as a return to outdated practices that once led to the destruction of Italian historic centers.
Key facts
- Roberto D'Agostino was one of the young architects who drafted Ferrara's new urban plan in 1972.
- The plan was approved in 1975 after a participatory process.
- Ferrara was among the first Italian cities to adopt a preservationist approach to its historic center.
- The expansion of Palazzo dei Diamanti is being planned, with a winning design by 3TI PROGETTI, Labics, Elisabetta Fabbri, and Vitruvio s.r.l.
- D'Agostino argues that altering a historic building like Palazzo dei Diamanti is culturally wrong.
- He compares the proposal to past destructive practices in Italian cities during the 1950s and 1960s.
- D'Agostino states that the question of altering a historic building of such relevance should not even be posed.
- He criticizes professional orders for defending the competition results rather than the cultural principle.
Entities
Artists
- Roberto D'Agostino
- Radames Costa
- Leonardo Benevolo
Institutions
- 3TI PROGETTI
- Labics
- Vitruvio s.r.l.
- Artribune
Locations
- Ferrara
- Italy
- Bologna
- Modena
- Brescia
- Venice
- Urbino