HBV PJ2 Transformations Andrea Palladio

TRANSFORMATIONS

Brendan McCambridge

Year 3

2022/2023

BEAUTY will result from the form and correspondence of the whole, with respect to the several parts, of the parts with regard to each other, and of these again to the whole; that the structure may appear an entire and compleat body, wherein each member agrees with the other, and all necessary to compose what you intend to form.

Andrea Palladio

Andrea Palladio

Andrea Palladio was an Italian architect who lived during the 16th century and is recognised as one of the most important figures in the development of classical architecture. His works are characterised by their use of symmetry and proportion, and his designs remain influential in architecture today.

The Villa Rotonda, the Palazzo Chiericati, and the Teatro Olimpico are some of Palladio’s most famous works. The Villa Rotonda is a Renaissance villa located in Vicenza, Italy, and is an iconic example of Palladio’s classical architecture. The Palazzo Chiericati is a 16th century building located in Vicenza, and is an example of Palladio’s use of symmetry and proportion. The Teatro Olimpico is a theatre located in Vicenza, and is the oldest surviving indoor theatre in the world.

Palladio’s influence on classical architecture is evident in many of the world’s most famous buildings. Palladianism, a style of architecture based on Palladio’s principles, can be seen in projects such as the White House in Washington D.C., the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, and the National Gallery in London. Additionally, Palladianism has been used in many other buildings around the world, such as the Château de Chantilly in France and the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. Palladio’s principles of symmetry and proportion have also been used in architecture since his time, and have been the basis of many of the world’s great buildings.

Palladio’s influence on architecture can also be seen in the works of modern architects, such as Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Palladio’s works and principles remain influential in architecture today, and are a testament to the power of great design. His works continue to inspire architects to this day, and his legacy is sure to live on for many years to come.

As an architect, Palladio was acutely interested in engaging viewers, something he often accomplished by making use of striking façades. What makes La Rotonda extremely unique is that it displays not one, but four of them. Idiosyncratic choices do not always result in groundbreaking creations; a building with four façades could have easily ended up being bizarre, but Palladio was able to design a serene, sophisticated construction by emphasizing balance, visual clarity, and uniformity. The design of the building is completely symmetrical; it presents a square plan with identical porticoes projecting from each of the façades.

The Villa Rotonda

Andrea Palladio’s design for the Basilica Palladiana was heavily influenced by his studies of classical Roman architecture. In particular, the classical orders of architecture, such as the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, to create a rythm of columns in the design of the Basilica. This use of collums as rythm is particularly evident in the portico, which is composed of two columns of the Corinthian order, two columns of the Ionic order, and two columns of the Doric order. This alternating pattern creates an organized and aesthetically pleasing look, while also highlighting the versatility of Palladio’s classical design sensibilities.

Basilica Palladiana

influenced by the classical Roman and Greek theaters of antiquity Palladio ought to reproduce the same sense of grandeur and scale in his own design. The theater Teatro Olimpico Vicenza, located in Vicenza features a central stage surrounded by four tiers of seating, and is decorated with ornate stucco and sculpture. The auditorium is also renowned for its perfect acoustics, which were achieved by the use of a series of arches and vaults. Teatro Olimpico is a prime example of Palladio’s use of symmetry and proportion to create a harmonious and awe-inspiring space.

Teatro Olimpico Vicenza

Palladio’s influence

Transformations

In this second project we delve deeper into the problems posed by these hidden barriers by proposing a series of Transformations where we intervene to change these hidden barriers and begin to address some of these issues. By creating these Transformations we hope to achieve two things:

• To create new connections or improve existing connections where there are currently barriers or disconnections

• To raise much greater awareness of the social, eco -nomic, political, and environmental effects caused by these hidden barriers

In contrast to Project 1 which placed a focus on the core architectural skills of observation and communication, Project 2 shifts focus to now focus on core technical knowledge of structure, materials, and methods of assembly.