Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi argues Manfredo Tafuri should be forgotten

In a critical essay on Artribune, Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi argues that architectural historian Manfredo Tafuri (1935–1994) should be forgotten due to his devastating critical influence. Puglisi claims Tafuri dismissed nearly all architecture as sublime uselessness, focusing on mediocre architects like Ludovico Quaroni and Vittorio Gregotti while ignoring talents like Renzo Piano. He cites Tafuri's 1986 book 'Storia dell'architettura italiana, 1944-1985' as evidence. Puglisi identifies four critical flaws in Tafuri's approach: reversal of judgment (celebrating failure over success), contempt for science and technology, overinterpretation of classical culture, and overvaluation of intellectualist research over spatial concerns. He contrasts Tafuri with Bruno Zevi, suggesting both created grand narratives but Tafuri's was destructive. Puglisi concludes that Tafuri, the most diabolical of Italian critics, should be forgotten after being read and meditated upon.