Background

In our conservatoin and transformation project which is in a post-war campus district in Milan, we intend to introduce the fundamental background of post-war architecture development and relative case study not only in Milan also including other European renovation projects.

In brief, we put emphasis of discussion on the material transformation and development from the second world war to 21th century, covering the appearance of modern architecture in France, the rationalism and classicism architecture as representative styles in Italy, green architecture by applying sustainable material and advanced service system in recent times. For the study of material also experienced several periods such as brick and concrete structure, reinforcement concrete structure, light steel structure with glass and environment-friendly timber material.

In Milan case study, we chose two projects including residential and public function types, whereas rationalism style mainly applied concrete material, in the next several decades, buildings experienced transformation in different ways. In the other cases, we tried different keywords to analysis like "material", "typology", "geometry" and "conservation methods".

Neoclassicism in Milan

1. Generation of neoclassicism

Since second half of 18th century, Italian experienced a great deal of socio-economic changes towards a new era, neoclassicism was developed in Italy as forefront in opposition to Baroque style till 1850. In order to achieve cultural and economic renaissance, neoclassicism began around the rediscovery of Pompeii and spread all over Europe as a Grand Tour in Italy to reburn the Greco-Roman ideals. Nearly all realm of art was involved in this artistic movement including painting, architecture and literature, which is the last Italian-born style spreading to all Western Art.

2. Neoclassicism in Milan

Neoclassicism in Milan can be divided into 3 phases: the Austrian period of Enlightment, the Neopoleonic years and the Restoration over 100 years. In first period, Milan was characterized by a more sober and austere approach, resulting in symmetrical, wellordered structures like Teatro alla Scala. In second phase, new roads and city gates with Romantic features were completed such as Arco della Pace. In restoration period, with the return of Autrians, revival of previous neoclassicism was developed and approved. Our site built around 1910 is in the last period of neoclassicism in Milan including district palnning and architectural design, which followed traditional geometry and aesthetic rules in construction.