ANTONIO SANT'ELIA

 

SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture -by Gautam Shah

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Antonio Sant'Elia, (1888-1916), was an Italian architect. He studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts (1909-11), and then graduated in architecture at Bologna (1912). He began to produce architectural images from 1911 onwards. 

At that point of time, the scene in Europe was live with classicism and art nouveau. Sant’Elia was first influenced by Otto Wagner, Adolf Loos, Renzo Picasso, and the Viennese Secession movement. But, he began to develop his own style, through learning about modern materials, technologies and new trends in architecture.

Sant’Elia became an influential member of the Futurist movement in architecture. He was instrumental in composing The Manifesto of Futurist Architecture (published in 1914). The futurists believed, traditional architectural styles were outdated and inadequate for the new realities.

Sant'Elia's vision consisted of an industrialized and mechanized city of the future. This was perceived not as a conglomerate of buildings, but as a large integrated urban entity. His designs have oblique lines, elliptical forms, towers, multi-level movement areas, stepped walls, etc.

His life was interrupted by the outbreak of the war, in which he participated as a volunteer, and died. His only completed work, is the Villa Elisi in San Maurizio.

A considerable number of schematic drawings were produced during the years, 1913-14. These are villas, towers, bridges, lighthouses, workshops, railway stations, power plants and high-rise apartments. 

 

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