Aldo Rossi: Visionary Architect

On May 3rd 1931 in Milan Italy, a man by the name of Aldo Rossi was born. Aldo Rossi grew up to become a great architect. He is well known for his creative mind and his extraordinary vision. He is internationally respected as both a theorist and architect. Rossi earned his degree at Polytechnic University in Milan in 1959. In 1961 he became editor of Italian magazine “Casabella-Continuita” and held that position until 1964. In 1965 Rossi was an assistant to architect Ludovico Quaroni. He also became a professor in the School of Architecture in Milan in 1965 and the University in Venice in 1975. In 1966 Rossi published his first book called The Architecture of the City. In this book he criticized formal architecture applied to cities. Rossi believed that one must consider the culture and history of a city in order to understand it correctly. He also belived that monuments give the city it’s structural form.

Rossi’s greatest works have been said to be throughout the eighties. Three great works constructed during this time were the Carlo Felice Theater, the Centro Torri Shopping Center, and the Hotel Il Pilazzo. The Carlo Felice Theater in Genoa, Italy was constructed in 1983. It is a reconstructed theater that was originally built in 1828. Rossi restored several parts of the original structure to incorporate them into the new structure. In this piece one can see how Rossi interweaves old and modern design. The inside of the theater is as breathtaking as the outside. The side balconies are beautifully finished, held by spectacular granite walls. The main foyer in the theater is another grand feature. A Lantern hangs from the ceiling. The Centro Torri Shopping Center in Parma, Italy, was constructed in 1985. It is one of the largest shopping centers in northern Italy. When looking at this structure one would never look at it as if it were an ordinary shopping center. This design is most unique. On the roof there stand six rectangular shaped towers with a triangular glass skylight located in the center. Each tower is made of brick with marble tiles surrounding the upper portion of them, reading “Centro Torri”. The Hotel Il Palazzo in Fukuoka, Japan, was constructed in 1987. The Hotel Il Palazzo stands seven stories tall and rests on a stone base with steps leading up to the entrance. The face of the building is windowless. Rows of travertine columns are built within the face all the way to the top and sit on aged copper beams. It is truly a breathtaking sight.


In 1990 Rossi was awarded the Pritzker Prize. It is an award that is very prestigious and honorable in the architect world. He was given this award in recognition of his unique style to capture the history of a city in a single piece while incorporating his revolutionary design. In 1997 Aldo Rossi died in a fatal car accident. A theorist, an artist, an architect, Aldo Rossi is a visionary. His bold passion for architecture reflects in every single structure he has created. The Carlo Felice Theater, the Centro Torri Shopping Center, and the Hotel Il Pilazzo are prime examples of how Rossi was able to give structures a modern age design without taking away the integrity from the traditional elegance. He has designed many masterpieces and his works stand majestically all over the world.