号Libera was one of the key figures in the Italian Rationalism. Considered a protagonist of Italian modern architecture, he’d become the protagonist of several projects built under the Fascist regime.

号Libera. Casa Malaparte, 1963. — 号Libera. Casa Malaparte, 1963

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Important Friendships: a Link with Fascism

号Libera, black and white photo. — 号Libera

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号Libera was born inVilla Lagarinain Trentino, Italy. After graduating fromParma’s Institute of Artfirst, then from Rome’sScuola Superiore di Architettura, he came into contact withFuturism, leading to his founding M.I.A.R. or “斜体字ian Movement for Rational Architecture”, where he acted as its secretary. This group, a rival to the fascist architecture – oriented organizationGruppo Sette, was led, during Fascism, by Libera’s politically astute choices: he established a close working relationship with high ranking officials of the regime, in order to control and funnel funding into public construction programs and commissions. In no small part thanks to this, he attained a prolific career, designing many notable buildings this period, enstablishing himself as a key figure in the internationalRationalist movement.Congress Arenain Rome is a perfect example of Libera’s notable ability to design ambiguously in a spare, metaphysical language, existing betweenModernismandNeo-classicism. Other renowed designs areCasa Malaparteand theRegional Governmentbuilding for the region of Trentino, continuing his career after the fall of the Fascist regime until his death, in1963.

Between Futurism and Classicism

TheRationalistideals prospered in Italy under the twenty years of Fascist regime, from the 1920s to the 1940s. Two separate groups challenged each other in an architectural battle for recognition: theGruppo 7and the (Libera founded)MIAR. The latter movement sought a middle ground between the glories of theEnlightenment, embodied by theNeo-classicalstyle, and the straightforward violence ofFuturism, anavant-gardemovement fascinated by the industrial architecture. The new tenets, in accordance to the regime’s pretense, werecontrol,logicandrationality.

Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as Square Colosseum, EUR district, Roma.

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Palazzo Gualinoin Turin was one of the first Italian rationalist buildings, designed byGino Levi-Montalciniand朱塞佩Pagano. Other exemplary works includeCasa del FascioinComo,Medaglia d’Ororoom at the斜体字ian Aeronautical ShowinMilanand theFascist Trades Union BuildinginComo. Moreover, theRationalistsenjoyed some official commissions from the very junta of Mussolini. Large projects arose all over Rome, including theUniversity of Romeand theEsposizione Universale罗马(EUR) district. TheEURfeatures monumental, monolith-like buildings, trying to evoke the same weight as ancient Roman architecture, yet condensed in an essential form, revealing strong geometric, modern shapes.

Congress Arena

This institutional space was design by阿尔贝托利比里亚to hosts the1942 Universal Exposition in Rome. Construction was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II, and finished about a decade later. Libera was inspired bythe Pantheon, and designed the structure with a noble and elegant appearance, combining modern lines with a classical sense of grandeur. Columns and othertraditional elements are mixed with a modern, essential and geometric taste, in order to underline the pure form of the structure silhouetted against the sky.