The Racetrack Oval Frame Vault of Villa Borromeo in Cassano d\u2019Adda

Chiara Stanga

doi:10.1007/s00004-020-00529-6

Abstract

The paper describes the analysis of the oval frame vault of the ballroom of Villa Borromeo in Cassano d’Adda (Milan), one of the most important, yet not deeply studied, countryside villas of the Adda family. The vault is a particular example of a frame vault on an oval plan, where the main elements that characterize the space are the skene arches and the curved lunettes. The article sheds light on the constructive and geometric genesis of this particular type of vaulting, which was a common construction practice of architects and builders in the Modern Age in Northern Italy. The analysis of the vault geometries and construction techniques is carried out through a geometric and photogrammetric survey, the elaboration of drawings, and a 3D model.

Highlights

The vaulted systems have always been of interest due to their incredible design, daring solutions, and subtle construction techniques
The use of the 3D model and photogrammetry for the representation of complex structures such as the vaulted systems is becoming common both for the analysis of construction techniques (Attico et al 2019) and geometrical genesis (Spallone et al 2019). This paper considers both the constructive and geometrical aspects of the unique frame vault of the Villa Borromeo ballroom
The arches divide the room, forming a structural frame, allowing the spaces between them to be covered by various vaulting types. These vaults have been documented mainly in Piedmont [called ‘fascioni’ vaults by Passanti (1990: 44)], but they had been known and used in the whole Northern Italy from the second half of the sixteenth century (Grimoldi 2009). This construction practice is typical of Lombard architects and master builders, as proven by the significant number of frame vaults disseminated in Northern Italy, such as the case of the late sixteenth-century halls and atria of palaces in Brescia, Cremona, Milan and Turin (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

The vaulted systems have always been of interest due to their incredible design, daring solutions, and subtle construction techniques. Keywords Frame vaults · Villa Borromeo · Eighteenth century · Cassano d’Adda · Design analysis This paper considers both the constructive and geometrical aspects of the unique frame vault of the Villa Borromeo ballroom.

Results

Conclusion