IndexIntroductionLiterature reviewContextAnalysisThe urban artefactThe monumentMemoryConclusionIntroductionThe construction of the city is influenced by historic architecture and the collective memory of people, which help to shape both the structure of the city and strengthen the identity of the place. This essay addresses the historical significance of Reading Abbey and examines its importance both past and present in shaping the city of Reading. The building will then be further analyzed through the scientific tools created by Aldo Rossi in The Architecture of the City, focusing specifically on the analysis of three key aspects of Rossi's ideology including the urban artefact, the monument and the memory. collective. It will then be concluded whether Reading Abbey is in line with Rossi's vision of the importance of urban artefacts in shaping and sustaining an urban landscape, along with the relevance of Rossi's ideas today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original EssayLiterature ReviewAldo Rossi's approach to urban design, discussed in his book The Architecture of the City, unites architecture and the city as a collective in which the buildings within it continually evolve "the city is therefore understood as a homogeneous continuum". Rossi, who was an influential architect and theorist, wrote The Architecture of the City in 1966. The book is divided into four sections: The structure of urban artefacts, The primary elements and the concept of area, The individuality of urban artefacts and the evolution of urban artefacts. Rossi begins by discussing the development and growth of the city as subject to certain rules that allow its construction, he describes the city to be understood as architecture as construction. For Rossi, architecture means the construction of the city over time, with the construction process uniting both the past and the present. The way Rossi believed the city should be understood is evident in the title; the city is made of architecture. In this book Rossi describes his tools for the scientific analysis of a place. He believes that to understand a place it is necessary to understand its urban artefacts and from there be able to process the primary elements, monuments and the influence of memory. Rossi describes the city as being based on primary elements, these are key monuments, buildings and public spaces which when combined form the overall fabric of the city. Primary elements are an integral part of the "dynamic of the city", and architecture critic Rafael Moneo is further inspired by primary elements as, once installed, they can influence the collective memory of a place. First, Rossi uses the term urban artifact throughout this novel, which is not an object but an act. For him, cities are full of acts performed by people from the past, especially acts of construction, which influence the surrounding city and remain over time. These acts influence the surrounding urban landscape and how people see it, creating memories. This reinforces his view of buildings having a character and history that should be protected and preserved. At the time, Rossi's vision of the city was revolutionary and opposed architects such as Le Corbusier, who saw history as an obstacle, as demonstrated by his plan to remove Marseille's historic buildings and replace them with skyscrapers. Arguably, throughout history, the functions of urban buildings and their form have evolved: things have been added, destroyed and rebuilt, but their identity continues. The building was rebuilt due to its iconic statusas an urban artefact and for its importance in people's memory. Furthermore, Rossi identified that the city is structured around the artefact and, consequently, has great importance in shaping the urban landscape around it. urban artefacts, Rossi focuses on monuments. For Rossi, monuments are the foundation of the city and their remains ensure the continuation of historical ideas in the urban landscape. Rossi, for example, talks about the Amphitheater of Nîmes whose function, following a series of historical events, evolved to become a fortress. The versatility of these crucial buildings that stand the test of time, remain throughout history to help sustain the shape of the city. However, in addition to supporting the city's structure, monuments also evolve and their change in function contributes to accelerating "the process of urbanization of the city". However, despite the monument's changes, its importance as a place remains constant. The historian Diane Ghirardo in her book Aldo Rossi and the spirit of architecture discusses the role of the monument in the construction of the city. He raises the question of the identity of a city and concludes that monuments help to sustain the identity of a place, and is fostered by collective memory, thus aligning with Rossi's vision of the city. Furthermore, collective memory is mentioned throughout Rossi's book as fundamental to the formation of the city. The city is a unitary memory of its people, which over time shapes the urban form and translates into a distinctive sense of place. Moneo expands Rossi's ideology by declaring that the city is a collective entity, a place full of history that relies on the popular memory of historical monuments for its continuation. The influence and relevance of Aldo Rossi's theories detailed in this book have long been debated as critics Rafael Moneo whose modern perspective examines and criticizes Rossi's influence in European architecture. However, architectural firms such as Grafton Architects have considered Rossi's renewed focus on the history and construction of the city over time as influential in the formation of their practice. Rossi's approach to the city is still relevant as the most influential historic buildings are rediscovered by a new generation and continue to help shape the modern cityscape. ContextReading Abbey was founded in 1121 by Henry I and, since its construction, has remained an integral part of the city. The abbey is situated on both the River Kennett and the River Thames and subsequently became a stopping place for travelers to and from London, thus ensuring its important role throughout the Middle Ages. The 12th century experienced major changes in architectural styles and techniques, such as the rise of Gothic design. Reading Abbey was not isolated from these advances, which is evident in the construction of the Lady Chapel in 1314 which was a completely new style compared to the rest of the abbey. Benedictine monks resided at the monastery for more than four hundred years with thousands of pilgrims traveling to Reading specifically for the abbey, reinforcing the international significance of this monument. Over the course of the 13th and 14th centuries, the abbey became the center of Reading's religious community and in time became one of the largest and richest abbeys in the country. However, it was subject to Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, where the lands and wealth of the monasteries, including Reading Abbey, were seized by the crown. From that pivotal point in history, the building's purpose evolved into a royal residence. However, the Siege of Reading began the dismantling of the abbey in 1643, where its stone was instead used to build defenses and fortifications. After the warEnglish civil, the building changed owners numerous times and, as a result, the areas that were once covered by this historic building were demolished and redeveloped to serve an entirely new purpose, as evidenced by Reading Prison, built in 1786 on the grounds of the 'abbey. . Today, much of the town of Reading is occupied by fragments of an ancient Benedictine monastery and serves as a reminder of medieval life, underlining the abbey's role in carving out Reading's place in the history of medieval architecture. Analysis This essay will apply Rossi's theory of the city, and the importance of historic urban artefacts in shaping the history and layout of the city, to Reading Abbey. The analysis aims to demonstrate that Reading Abbey is still as relevant today as it was when it was first built and, through its protection, will continue to have a positive impact on the identity of the city of Reading. Three of Rossi's urban theories will be addressed in order, including the abbey as an urban artefact, the abbey as a monument and the collective memory of the abbey. The urban artefact The first element explored regarding Aldo Rossi's urban theory is Reading Abbey as an urban artefact. Rossi describes an urban artefact as a pivotal building that plays a key role in the history of the city, a building so important that its iconic character is worth more than its material manifestation or its form. As well as the physical remains of the Abbey ruins, Ron Baxter explains that the memory of the Abbey remains in "street names such as Abbey Street, Abbey Square and Forbury Road". This highlights the importance of the building in informing the layout of the city of Reading, thus relating to Rossi's belief that pivotal buildings shape urban form. Subsequently the town took its shape around the Abbey. In addition to Ron Baxter's interpretation, historian Daphne Phillips describes the gifts of Henry I, who founded the Abbey, ensured that the abbots of Reading became Lords, and consequently gained control over the town's affairs. This existing arrangement can still be seen today in streets such as Broad Street, London Street and Forbury Gardens. Furthermore, in the 12th century, the monks created the Market Square, closely bordering the town, and weekly markets were held here for many years, thus contributing to Reading's historical identity as a market town. Furthermore, Rossi discusses the evolution of a function and form of the urban artefact that reveals the persistence of the city and echoes signs of the past. Following the dissolution of the abbey, its form evolved. Between 1550 and 1553 the pillars were removed and the timber was stripped from the roof and reused in St Mary's Church, which had also suffered the effects of the Dissolution. The dismantling of the abbey adds to the history of the building and alters the collective memory of Reading from a key religious center to a ruin. However, the ruins of the abbey are made up of layers of history and the remains demonstrate the role it played throughout centuries of history, which has led to its survival today. Therefore, its meaning and historical significance remain the same, which is in line with Rossi's theory that, despite its physical manifestation, the building's iconic status as an urban artifact remains. Secondly, Rossi discusses the importance of the monument as a type of urban artefact with a strong and unique identity. These monuments have a strong relationship with time and their influence does not depend on whether they still exist, but on whether their importance continues through collective memory. Rossi describes the idea of ​​monuments as the foundation of the city and as physical signs of the past. Ultimately, it is indestructible; parts can be replaced.