Distance between theory and practice in a project by Luigi Moretti, parametric architecture’s first theorist

Abstract

Starting in the 1940s, Luigi Moretti was the first theorist of architettura parametrica, suggesting a novel scientific vision of architectural design. However, the contribution of this theory to his built projects appears limited and far from the rigour of the famous mathematical modelling he presented at the XII Triennale di Milano in 1960. Despite Moretti's attempts to spread parametric architecture internationally, the apparent distance between the theoretical dimension and the professional practice has led to a marginal recognition of his contributions to the developments of Computational Design and, more recently, Parametricism. Questioning how Moretti considered aspects of parametric architecture in his professional practice may reveal how he intended the relationship between theory and practice. This paper analyses the troubled design process of Moretti's Bonifacio VIII Baths in Fiuggi, Italy, a project that has never been studied as an application of parametric architecture despite having several attributes that are now associated with the origin of parametric design. The proposed position is that, along his rigid theory, Moretti developed more informal and flexible design processes. The analysis of compositional and methodological values behind the evolution of this project, its archival materials, and Moretti's design theories will be used to demonstrate the thesis.