Mario Ridolfi: The Poet of Italian Architecture
Mario Ridolfi (1904–1984) was an influential rationalist architect from Italy, celebrated for his meticulous craftsmanship. He was born in Rome and completed his studies in 1929 with a project focused on a marine colony. Ridolfi became a member of MIAR and took part in the contentious exhibition of 1931. In 1933, he secured victory in the Post Office competition located in Piazza Bologna, Rome. Partnering with engineer Wolfgang Frankl, he contributed to 'Manuale dell'architetto' after WWII and designed the Tiburtino complex (1949–1954). His later projects included the INA towers (1954), INAIL houses (1956), and Nuoro prison (1964). A significant figure in postmodernism, he presided over the Accademia di San Luca starting in 1977. Ridolfi tragically drowned on November 11, 1984, following personal tragedies and health challenges.
Key facts
- Mario Ridolfi was born in Rome in 1904 to a modest artisan father.
- He worked for engineer Vittorio Ribaudi from 1918 to 1923 to fund his studies.
- He graduated in 1929 with a project for a marine colony in Castelfusano.
- He participated in the 1928 and 1931 exhibitions of rational architecture.
- He won the competition for the Post Office building in Piazza Bologna in 1933.
- He collaborated with Wolfgang Frankl, an engineer fleeing Nazi Germany.
- He contributed to the 'Manuale dell'architetto' edited by Bruno Zevi.
- He designed the Tiburtino housing complex (1949–1954) with Ludovico Quaroni.
- His house in Marmore (1964–1967) was his most personal project.
- He was president of the Accademia di San Luca from 1977.
- He died on November 11, 1984, by drowning in the Nera River.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Ridolfi
- Adalberto Libera
- Wolfgang Frankl
- Pietro Maria Bardi
- Bruno Zevi
- Pier Luigi Nervi
- Cino Calcaprina
- Aldo Cardelli
- Mario Fiorentino
- Ludovico Quaroni
- Carlo Aymonino
- Carlo Chiarini
- Federico Gorio
- Sergio Lenci
- Piero Maria Lugli
- Carlo Melograni
- Michele Valori
- Paolo Portoghesi
- Francesco Cellini
- Claudio D'Amato
- Carlo Scarpa
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
- Gaetano Minnucci
- Alberto Calza Bini
- Vittorio Ribaudi
Institutions
- Regia Scuola Superiore di Architettura di Roma
- MIAR (Movimento Italiano per l'Architettura Razionale)
- Gruppo 7
- Sindacato Nazionale Architetti Fascisti
- Istituto Tecnico Industriale Carlo Grella
- Olivetti
- Accademia di San Luca
- Biennale di Venezia
- Controspazio
- Artribune
- INA
- INAIL
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Castelfusano
- Piazza Bologna
- Villa Lagarina
- Marmore
- Terni
- Nuoro
- Poggibonsi
- Ivrea
- Viale Etiopia
- via Marco Polo
- Tiburtino
- Nera River