Aesthetics and Technology in Building
Pier Luigi Nervi
Harvard University Press
Here is a verbal and pictorial illustration of the credo that has guided one of the worlds most distinguished architects throughout his career. «Architecture is, and must be, a synthesis of technology and art.» Using nearly 200 drawings and photographs, including plans, interesting details, various stages of construction, and both interior and exterior views of some of his major works, Mr. Nervi shows how his philosophy is put into practice. Referring to most of his important projects, he discusses solutions to various functional and construction requirements where he used precast and cast-in-place concrete, emphasizing the richness of this material. Mr. Nervi stresses the advantages of reinforced concrete, which, he says, allows greater flexibility and makes it easier to satisfy his triple demand of economy, technical correctness, and aesthetic satisfaction. In predicting the future of architecture he stresses the necessity of architectural solutions that are functionally and technically sound. His final remarks concern his ideas about the proper course of study for architecture students, training that will produce architects with a «far greater technical sense than in the past, a technical sense which results in a constant search for economic efficiency.»