HUMANISM CENTERED EDUCATION FOR A PEACEFUL EUROPE Langenselbold - Germania 25-31 marzo 2017 Discovering the effects of art in shaping social values and inter-cultural dialogue through art

CASA DEL FASCIO

This building called “Casa Del Fascio” ( Fascist party house)in Como, a town in Northern Italy near Milan is an example of rationalist architecture during the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini. In lots of Italian towns there was one Casa del Fascio as headquarter of the fascist party. The Casa del Fascio in Como has been studied because it has been subject of a controversial debate.

The building was designed by the architect Giuseppe Terragni in 1932, the construction work was completed in 1936. Some critics claim that the style of this building embodies the oppressive dictatorship since the fascist style of architecture was similar to the ancient Roman style in that Fascist buildings were generally very large and symmetric with sharp non-rounded edges.

Generally, the buildings purposefully conveyed a sense of awe and intimidation through their size, and were made of limestone and other durable stones (marble) in order to last the entirety of the fascist era. The controversy is due to the fact that the architect Terragni that designed this building was influenced by Modernism. In his design of Casa del Fascio, (House of Fascist Party), despite the celebratory theme , there is no reference to the "Roman Imperial", no tower, no balcony for the Dictator 's speeches.

His style is that of European rationalism whose main representative are Le Corbusier, Gropius, Mies van der Rohe. Further the building is also influenced by Soviet Constructivism, because not only it was made by various materials (concrete covered by different types of marble, glass bricks, glass, metal alloys ) but inside the structure different geometrical shapes can be identified. Obviously it was abhorred by fascist hierarchs.