Italian Pavements: Patterns in Space

Williams, Kim

ISBN 10: 0965526828 / ISBN 13: 9780965526821

Editore: Anchorage Press, Houston, Tex, 1997

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Black cloth, black & illus. dust jacket, 176 pp., many BW & color illus. "A study of pavement design is a walk through architectural history. For centuries, decorated pavements have enhanced the experience of architectural space, providing a rich visual and kinesthetic map for the spectator. Paving patterns may be as simple as the parallel stripes of color in the train station in Florence or as intricate as the medieval geometrical mosaics of the Cosmati. Pavements are no mere ornamentation of architecture; their effectiveness lies in their ability to articulate the context in which they are place, to express through pattern the intentions of the archtiect." (dj) Intriguing. VG (DJ slightly scuffed; otherwise pristine.).

Codice articolo 144708

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Italian Pavements: Patterns in Space
• Editore: Anchorage Press, Houston, Tex
• Data di pubblicazione: 1997
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0965526828
• ISBN 13: 9780965526821
• Rilegatura: Hardcover
• Cataloghi dei venditori:
  • European Architecture
  • General Reference - European Architecture

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Precious, brilliantly colored stones arranged by skilled artisans in intricate patterns that follow the designs of master architects have been an important aspect of Italian architecture for centuries. In this book, Kim Williams provides a detailed overview of these beautifully designed pavements. From the second-century Pantheon in Rome to the twentieth-century Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence, Williams traces the evolution of pavement design, points to characteristic design elements of each age, and explains the various techniques and materials used.

Analyzing the pavements in relationship to their particular architectural context, she shows how these designs heighten the architectural experience and provide a key to understanding architects' intentions. Williams also offers an in-depth analysis of individual pavements in order to shed light on the proportional systems, geometric constructions, symbolism and historical sources for the design. Through her accurately measured, exquisitely rendered drawings of the pavements, many of which have never before been documented, these pavements are given their full due as architecture and craft.

Product Description

Precious, brilliantly-coloured stones arranged in intricate patterns have been an important aspect of Italian architecture for centuries. This book traces the evolution of pavement design, points out the characteristic design elements in each age, and explains the various techniques and materials used. Providing a detailed overview of these intricately-designed pavements, this book examines buildings such as the 2nd-century Pantheon in Rome and the 20th-century Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. Analyzing the pavements in relation to their particular architectural context, the book shows how these designs heighten the architectural experience, and provide a key to understanding the architects' intentions. It also offers an in-depth analysis of individual pavements in order to shed light on the proportional systems, geometric constructions, symbolism and historical sources for the design. Through accurately-measured drawings by the author, these pavements, many hitherto undocumented, are considered as architecture and craft.