Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi on Aldo Rossi: Architecture Between Order and Play
Born in Catania in 1956, architecture critic Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi reflects on the impact of Aldo Rossi, drawing from a 1983 interview conducted by Franco Raggi for Modo magazine. While studying architecture, Puglisi admired Rossi, who was regarded as the preeminent architect of the time, influenced by his assistants Dario Passi and Giangiacomo Dardia. Although initially captivated by Rossi's grand designs, Puglisi later critiqued his authoritarian approach, comparing his spaces to military barracks. He points out the inefficiency of Rossi's 1984 Conica coffee pot when contrasted with Richard Sapper's ergonomic model. Puglisi attributes Rossi's architectural style to his Catholic upbringing, emphasizing its structured characteristics. After sharing Rossi's school in Fagnano Olona (1972-1976) on social media, he received mixed reactions, ultimately asserting that Rossi's finest works possess a playful, metaphorical essence.
Key facts
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi is an architecture critic born in Catania in 1956.
- Puglisi studied architecture when Aldo Rossi was considered the greatest living architect.
- His assistants Dario Passi and Giangiacomo Dardia were followers of Rossi.
- Puglisi was initially attracted to Rossi's ability to make monumental forms from prosaic functions.
- Under Bruno Zevi's influence, Puglisi criticized Rossi's architecture as totalizing and authoritarian.
- Rossi's Conica coffee pot for Alessi (1984) was cited as inefficient and unergonomic.
- In a 1983 interview by Franco Raggi for Modo, Rossi said his Catholic education influenced his ordered architecture.
- Rossi's school in Fagnano Olona (1972-1976) sparked debate on social media about its implications.
- Puglisi compares Rossi's works to toys, lacking the irony of Claes Oldenburg's pieces.
- Herzog & de Meuron are declared disciples of Rossi, developing his inventive aspect.
Entities
Artists
- Aldo Rossi
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
- Dario Passi
- Giangiacomo Dardia
- Bruno Zevi
- Richard Sapper
- Franco Raggi
- Claes Oldenburg
- Herzog & de Meuron
- Vittorio Gregotti
- Franco Purini
- Michel Foucault
- Donald A. Norman
- Guido Gozzano
- Giovanni Guareschi
- Don Camillo
- Peppone
- Santa Maria Goretti
Institutions
- Alessi
- Modo (magazine)
- Collegio Pennisi di Acireale
- Artribune
- presS/Tletter
- Compasses
- Associazione Italiana di Architettura e Critica
- Edilizia e territorio
- The Plan
- A10
Locations
- Catania
- Italy
- Milan
- Fagnano Olona
- Venice
- Genoa
- Acireale
- Spain
- Switzerland