Integral design at Hadrian’s Villa

Abstract

In the context of the monumental literature produced with reference to the Tiburtine Imperial site, the dissemination of studies on peculiar characteristics - typological, structural, functional - of complexes or areas appears with regular continuity. These studies range on various aspects of the Villa, from terracing to hydraulic systems, from green spaces to the techniques adopted to facilitate the residential fruition –often with solutions of incredible scenographic effect–, from typological considerations to those aimed at identifying the functions, and to reflections in the field of urban planning, just to name a few of the most frequent. Most of the investigations concern single complexes or areas of limited extension, at most. The whole complex of the
“Villa” is dealt with only regarding the location of elements pertaining to individual functions, such as, for example, the water network, the fountains and the nymphaeums, the aqueducts, the latrines, the gardens ... Moreover, not infrequent are the “reconstructions” of the complexes of the Villa, certainly many undertaken more sensationalistic in character rather than scientific and, thus, not without erroneous interpretations. These are flanked by other reconstructions which are sometimes drawn up adopting traditional architectural styles. Although they are derived from accurate archaeological studies, they are proposed without taking into account
the fundamental and pre-eminent linguistic innovations of Hadrian. Yet these are types whose design concept and construction are based on the adoption of important innovations, sometimes of an experimental nature, as widely appreciated. The innovations brought by Hadrian’s technicians in the Villa regards not only the architectural volume, understood as built space and perceived space, but also technology (in the plant and structural meanings), decoration and all that is inherent in the language design and helps to underline the evolutionary, as well as sometimes experimental, character imposed by Hadrian on his designers.
It is therefore necessary to start a reflection on these issues and, in particular, on some characteristics that can be observed in more complexes and which, when transposed into the current architectural language, adhere to the concepts of integral design and bioclimatic architecture. Both are topics whose study, undertaken in the second half of the last century, currently constitutes an increasingly advanced application field. In the case of integral design, the latter can be linked to the introduction of BIM technologies –Building Information
Modeling–, the development of GOPP methods –Goal Oriented Project Planning– and PCM –Project Cycle Management–.