Gustavo Giovannoni: The Complete Architect

Abstract

Gustavo Giovannoni (1873–1947) was a key figure in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and conservation during the first half of the twentieth century in Italy. Neglected after the Second World War, when advocates for modernist architecture preferred to highlight members of the Rationalist movement that Giovannoni opposed, his work and ideas are now being re-evaluated for their timely insights on contested questions related to architecture, urbanism, and heritage conservation. This paper examines his theory and practice, including key passages from his writings translated into English for the first time, and descriptions of some of his professional contributions. Apart from the inherent interest of his work, it is a remarkable exemplification of his own ideal of l’architetto integrale—“the complete architect”—which he, more than anyone, seems to have realized.