Architecture and Archaeology in Via dei Villini

AA.VV.

• Publisher: L'Erma di Bretschneider
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN:
  9788891315182
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Architecture General

From the Foreword by Francesco Prosperetti, Superintendent. Superintendence for the Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the City of Rome. As the head architect of the Superintendence of Archaeology, it is deeply satisfying to see such harmony between archaeological remains and restoration work in a historical building. Here, the two professions have found a space within which to enter into dialogue and achieve excellent results. I must therefore praise my technicians who used their skill and perseverance to preserve and protect our archaeological heritage and thank the Italiana Costruzioni team for having the patience and professionalism needed to develop such an important and excellent project. The results we have achieved more than compensate for all the archaeological heritage that was left buried beneath new construction work last century and will give employees and visitors to the building an idea of just how incredible Rome's archaeological heritage is, how it permeates every area of the city and just how similar it is to our daily lives. The selection of the items on display in the cabinets is also designed to show visitors aspects of antiquity that they can most relate to, as well as showcasing singular elements such as the collection of hairpins that shows each phase of their manufacture. The opus sectile flooring is of particular beauty: it survived both fire and the destruction of the centuries to be carefully restored and displayed beneath a transparent floor. The same can be said of the mosaic room where the contrast with the modern structures that destroyed a beautiful section of the ancient suburban villa a few decades ago is quite striking. All that remains is for me to hope that the results of these attempts to protect and promote can be an example and a stimulus for all projects that have to balance our rich past with the need for the growth, development and renewal of our city on a daily basis. From the Introduction Why build new headquarters? Why the Villino? Because it is home, and that is what we always do! Respecting a place and its original identity, which must never be distorted or replaced with another, but must merge with the new; this must not frighten us, we must not think that a historical site should remain immaculate, immobile, like a knick-knack displayed in a glass cabinet. It must be lived in, inhabited, used, but also admired, because living and working within beauty is good for us, it inspires us. The Villino with its Historical location encourages us to not lose contact with our past. This might signify avoiding new perspectives and challenges, remaining immobile against our own nature and against time, which both actually encourage us towards dynamism. A place is not just a container, a grey box where objects and people can simply be deposited. Within this sad perspective a place loses its meaning and becomes a "no place", where depth and perspective are flattened and not even the human spirit can survive.

Table of contents

• 01_Via Villini_Sommario_T_ENG_COMP.qxp_Layout 1
• 02_Via Villini_Progetto_I_COMP.qxp_Layout 1
• 03_Via Villini_Cantiere_I_COMP.qxp_04_Cantiere
• 04_Via Villini_Tombe_Restauro_I_COMP.qxp_Layout 1
• 05_Via Villini_Catalogo_D_I_COMP.qxp_Layout 1