JUSTYNA WOJTAS SWOSZOWSKA

The Italian architect Aldo Rossi (1931-1997) is not only the author of characteristic buildings, architectural sketches and design projects; he is, first and foremost, the author of the theory of the Neo-Rational architectural style, presented in a masterly fashion in numerous essays and scientific treatises. His creative manifesto L'Architettura della città, published in 1966, constituting a collection of basic principles shaping the theory, the prominent architect Peter Eisenman compared to the theoretical treatises of the Renaissance. As a supplement to this work, in 1981 Rossi wrote his famous poetic A Scientific Autobiography, in which he writes very personally on the subject of architecture, without avoiding the context of his own experience. It is only by reading both works that we can appreciate the poetic dimension of his severe architectural style. Aldo Rossi’s designs were the consequence of his Neo-Rational theory of architecture. Among the most recognized of his projects “manifestoes” of his design theory are a block of flats on the Gallaratese 2 estate on Monte Amiata in Milan and the partly finished cemetery in Modena. In both cases, Rossi used his own method of typology and analogy.

Half a century has past since Aldo Rossi began his work, but his design theory, without losing any of its currency, has gained in importance, while his easily recognizable architecture and other projects, especially those from the early years of his career, continue to awaken emotions and interest.

Keywords: Aldo Rossi, 20th century architecture, architectural theory, Neo-Rationalism, typology, analogy