Neo-liberty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neo-liberty was an original but transient concept in architectural theory, which developed in Italy the 1950s.[1][2] It was a concept held by a loosely connected group of Milanese architects, but particularly those associated with Casabella-Continuità, an architectural and design magazine, led by the editor-in-chief at Casabella, Ernesto Nathan Rogers.[3]
Neo-liberty's origin lay in a re-assessment of the ideology of modernism.[2] It suggested that there was continuity between historic architectural tradition and modernism rather than an immutable chasm.[2] It further suggested that it was acceptable to include historical elements in current architecture and design.[2]
Although transient in terms of the history of architecture, and localised to Italy, albeit with some proponents in the United States, there was a strong reaction against Neo-liberty.[4] This was published openly in April 1959 by Reyner Banham, the British architectural critic.[2]
Architects associated with Neo-liberty included Roberto Gabetti, Aimaro Isola, Aldo Rossi, Vittorio Gregotti, Gae Aulenti, Giotto Stoppino, Guido Canella and Giancarlo De Carlo.[5]