Scholarly record

TRADITION AND INNOVATION IN THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY ECLECTICISM IN ITALY. PALAZZO RONZANI IN BOLOGNA (1911-1915)

G. Predari, R. Gulli

Abstract

The paper describes the history and the stylistic choices adopted in the construction of Palazzo Ronzani in Bologna, which was the first building to rise after the heavy demolitions carried out in the historical center of the city at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1910, the local administration adopted a Detailed Plan to change the aspect of the city, as it was already happening in the main European capitals. In this context, starting from 1911, the architect and scenographer Gualtiero Pontoni designed for Alessandro Ronzani -the owner of a well-known Bolognese beer company- his Palazzo, which is listed among the first multifunctional buildings in Bologna, containing offices, commercial activities and entertainment spaces. In an area of about 2000 m2, the architect was able to propose a theatre with a capacity of 2000 seats at the basement, shops, a cafГЁ-chantant and a restaurant on the ground floor, clubs, studios and commercial stores on the mezzanine and the first plan, and a hotel on the upper floors.

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