The Order of Architects in the Assembly, guest of Professor Latina

The Syracuse professor held a lectio magistralis entitled ‘The Architect Translator’

Those who have been members of the Order for 35 and 50 years were rewarded

LECCO – The Syracuse architect Vincenzo Latina guest at the annual meeting of the Order of Architects of Lecco which took place Friday 19 April at the headquarters in via Achille Grandi. The professor proposed to the associates an interesting lectio magistralis entitled ‘The Architect Translator’a reflection on the role of the architect and its evolution over time which was also an opportunity to speak ‘open-heartedly’ about his main projects, including the evocative theater built inside the Lampedusa quarry in 2022.

To do the honors of the house president Anselmo Gallucci, who underlined the importance of the annual meeting among the members: “Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Order with an event open to citizens, aimed at describing the profession of architect also through the eyes of non-citizens insiders. This year we wanted to put architecture back at the center of the assembly’s work, with particular attention to the context of urban regeneration, a theme that is increasingly present in debates on the future of cities, Lecco included. The transformation interventions that are being planned – declared Galluccio – ask us about the renewal and the desirable improvement of the quality of life of citizens, also through the recovery of the urban fabric left to itself”.

The mayor of Lecco also spoke on the topic Mauro Gattinoni who attended the assembly: “The interpreting role of the architect is very similar to that of the mayor, understood as the one who has the task of imagining what the city will be like in 10 or more years. As is known, we are in the process of revising the PGT: 130 observations have already been received and around forty areas are under examination. Lecco is on the podium when it comes to projects approved in Lombardy and this is giving impetus to entrepreneurs and architectural ideas, even the most original. In the face of the ongoing urban conversion, the invitation is to accept this challenge together, for the good of the city and those who live there”.

The word then passed to the architect Latina, professor of Architectural Composition at the University of Cataniawho dedicated the meeting toarchitect Ferruccio Favaron, who passed away last year. “Translation and tradition have in common that they derive from the verb ‘tradere’, which means to deliver. Tradition, however, is different from traditional, because it indicates revolution. Art, and so architecture, is a form of constant and continuous revolution – said Latina – so the city constantly rebuilds itself through interventions linked to grafting. In my work, I have always been nourished by the underground, that is, the genesis of what constitutes what is on the surface. Everything underground is ambivalent and sparks ideas and creativity in the imagination of many architects who I define as ‘generous thieves’: they steal ideas but enrich them, giving them to others. The transfer of culture and knowledge, which the architect also carries out by designing his works, is translation”.

The professor then reviewed his main projects, describing their genesis, difficulties and satisfactions. From the pavilion of the Artemision on the island of Ortigia a Syracuse built above the area where the Ionic temple of Artemis stood, in the Garden of Artemis in the town hall, also in Syracuse, at ‘Case Blu’ of Tremiliaup to the suggestive and exciting Theater inside the Lampedusa Quarryflanked by the migration memorial.

“One piece of advice I would like to give – said Latina – is to never get too attached to a project because, if the strategy is unique, there can be many projects and the approach can change. In Lampedusa the original request was to create a flower garden inside the quarry, an extraordinary environment but unsuitable for hosting flowers and plants. In the end, it was precisely the beauty and archaism of the place that told me what to do.”

The theater was in the quarry with a project inspired by Giacomo Leopardi’s Infinito: “From inside the quarry you don’t see the sea but you feel it, you smell it – explained Latina – you experience an infinite number of sensations, to the point of bewilderment. Closely connected to the theater is the migration memorial, a sadly current topic for Lampedusa as we know. 368 holes were made in a rock wall of the quarry, one for each migrant victim of the 2013 shipwreck, and one of the boats used for the crossings and then abandoned inside the quarry was positioned, charring it with a Japanese technique. I remember the inauguration of the theater as if it were yesterday, the friends of the Rotary Valle Sabbia of Brescia organized a concert with an extraordinary Japanese pianist, each participant lit a candle then positioned inside the holes, creating a constellation in continuity with the sky. This is a memorial: when the community comes together and recognizes itself, it manages to represent something that becomes communion” concluded Latina, applauded by many present.

The assembly was also an opportunity, as per tradition, to reward architects who have been registered for 35 years or more. They withdrew the recognition Giulio Poglianiregistered for 50 years, and architects for 35 years of registration Natale Balossi, Diana Barassi, Ivano Bianchi, Nicoletta Canclini, Luca Castelli, Augusta Comi, Giulio De Capitani, Umberto Deola, Marco Luigi Fumagalli, Ramona Beatrice Lazzaroni, Silvano Molinari, Marida Mozzanica, Piero Aldo Rigamonti, Antonella Sala, Stefano Santambrogio, Anna Tarabini, Luca Tentori, Massimo Valli and Paola Zanier.

Among the winners, special recognition also went to historic secretary, Attilia Gerosa who after 12 years dedicated to the Order with professionalism and passion will retire from July.