In the design of mountain refuges, funicular railway stations, hotels and hydroelectric stations, leading Italian architects from the twentieth century have found themselves sooner or later confronted by the mountains. An exhibition curated by Luca Moretto in Aosta deals with this theme in a previously unpublished and detailed itinerary of the Valle d’Aosta based on the relationship between architects and the alpine context.
From Cervino to Gran Paradiso and along the whole valley, the route leads us to discover the first urban buildings in Hennebique reinforced concrete by Giovanni Antonio Porcheddu, projects by Ettore Sottsass Senior and Junior for Aosta, buildings by Franco Albini and Carlo Mollino. But also town plans and buildings at high altitudes by BBPR, Figini, Pollini, Cereghini and Melis, hydroelectric stations by Giovanni Muzio, seven projects for Aosta by Gio Ponti and twenty-seven designs for the Valle by Carlo Mollino.
It also includes historical coverage and documentation of the current state of conservation of this extraordinary – in terms of both quality and quantity – architectural production, carried out in the time between the twenties and sixties and for the most part unpublished. The exhibition also includes a selection of contemporary photographs by Olivo Barbieri.
until 25.10.2003 Architettura moderna alpina. La Valle d’Aosta: da Gio Ponti a Carlo Mollino Biblioteca Regionale di Aosta Via Torre del Lebbroso 2, Aosta T +39-0165275902 http://www.regione.vda.it
Giovanni Muzio, Maën hydroelectric station (1924-28), Maën, Valtournenche. Photo Olivo Barbieri, 2003
Casa del Sole designed by Carlo Mollino (1947-55), Breuil Cervinia, Valtournenche. Photo Olivo Barbieri 2003
Mario Cereghini, Villa Bontadini (1935-36), Breuil-Cervinia, Valtournenche. Photo Olivo Barbieri 2003
Giovanni Muzio, Covalou hydroelectric station (1925-26), Covalou, Antey-Saint-André, Valtournenche. Photo Olivo Barbieri, 2003
