Italian pavements: patterns in space

Abstract

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.

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