The Gallaratese Housing Complex, also known as the Monte Amiata Housing, is a monumental experiment in urban design, reflecting the post-war ambition of reimagining social housing in Milan. Designed by architects Carlo Aymonino and Aldo Rossi in the late 1960s, this complex exemplifies the bold architectural visions of the era. It remains a significant reference in the international architecture community. Sometimes referred to as the “Red Dinosaur” due to the reddish hue of its buildings and the peculiar design, the Gallaratese complex encapsulates the architects’ divergent yet complementary visions of a micro-city within the city.
Gallaratese Housing Complex Technical Information
- Architects1-2: Aldo Rossi + Carlo Aymonino
- Location: Gallaratese district, Milan, Italy
- Topics: Postmodernism
- Site Area: 120,912 m2
- Project Year: 1967 – 1972
- Photographs:
Architecture is an autonomous form of art, and the architect must always remember this when designing. The Gallaratese is not just a building; it is a city in itself, a reflection of our collective memory and urban history.
– Aldo Rossi 3
Gallaratese Housing Complex Photographs
Gallaratese Housing Complex Historical Context and Vision
In the aftermath of World War II, Europe grappled with an acute housing crisis, and Milan was no exception. The city’s response was a series of satellite communities, with the Gallaratese district emerging as one of the most ambitious projects. The Monte Amiata Società Mineraria per Azioni owned part of the land for Gallaratese 2, where Aymonino and Rossi set out to realize an idealized microcosm of urban life—drawing inspiration from Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation, the architects aimed to improve upon this model, integrating diverse elements required for a functioning society into their design. Their vision was to create not merely housing but a self-contained urban community that embodied the complexities and dynamism of the modern city.
Architectural Design and Spatial Complexity
The Gallaratese Housing Complex spans 120,912 square meters and is bordered by Via Francesco Cilea and Via Enrico Falck. It comprises five distinct buildings: two eight-story slabs, a long three-story building, another three-story slab, and an interconnecting structure. These buildings, arranged around a central yellow amphitheater and two triangular plazas, showcase Aymonino’s vision of the city as a “turbulent, intricate, and varied texture”—a concept he termed “fragmentism.”
Aymonino’s design is characterized by its complexity and variety. The stepping forms, passages, decks, and terraces create a dynamic skyline and rich pedestrian paths, embodying his belief in a fragmented urban fabric. Buildings A1, A2, B, and C, designed by Aymonino, are visually and typologically diverse, with different residential schemes and a nodal amphitheater at the intersection of A1 and A2. The brown and red hues, glass block windows, and interconnected balconies of Aymonino’s buildings evoke a sense of urban density and community.
In stark contrast, Rossi’s contribution, building D, studies uniformity and simplicity. Inspired by the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, Rossi’s building is almost startling in its repetitive, unadorned form. The 200-meter-long white slab, referred to as la lama Bianca, is devoid of ornamentation, with identical windows and bays that emphasize its structural logic. This minimalist approach, coupled with the building’s detachment from the rest of the complex, highlights Rossi’s Rationalist influences and creates a visual counterpoint to Aymonino’s varied and textured designs.
Social and Cultural Impact
The Gallaratese Housing Complex was conceived as a utopian micro-city intended to integrate housing with its residents’ social, cultural, and economic needs. However, the project’s early years were tumultuous. Shortly after its completion in 1972, the complex was occupied by homeless families, a situation exacerbated by pressure from Communist League groups. The resulting degradation led to its abandonment by 1974. Despite this rocky start, the Gallaratese complex has since been revitalized and now functions as a middle-class condominium, fulfilling some of the social housing ideals envisioned by its creators.
The complex symbolizes the post-war modernist architectural movement in Italy, reflecting the aspirations and the challenges of creating idealized urban communities. Its design, rooted in the principles of Rationalism and fragmentism, continues to influence contemporary architecture, particularly in discussions around social housing and urban planning.
Legacy and Influence
The Gallaratese Housing Complex remains a significant architectural achievement, not only in the careers of Aymonino and Rossi but also in the broader context of 20th-century urban design. It represents a unique experiment integrating diverse architectural elements to create a cohesive urban microcosm. The complex’s stark contrasts—between Aymonino’s varied, textured forms and Rossi’s austere uniformity—reflect a dynamic dialogue between two of Italy’s most influential architects.
Gallaratese Housing Complex Plans
Gallaratese Housing Complex Image Gallery
About Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi (1931-1997) was an influential Italian architect, theorist, and designer known for his profound impact on postmodern architecture. He was a leading figure in the architectural movement known as Rationalism, which emphasized the importance of historical continuity and the use of typology in design. Rossi’s work is characterized by its minimalist aesthetic, symbolic use of forms, and a deep engagement with cities’ cultural and urban history. His most notable projects include the San Cataldo Cemetery in Modena, the Gallaratese Housing Complex in Milan, and the Teatro del Mondo in Venice. Rossi was the first Italian to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1990, solidifying his legacy as one of the 20th century’s most significant architects.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Boundaries: Via Francesco Cilea and Via Enrico Falck
- Buildings: 5 buildings
- A1 & A2: Eight-story slabs designed by Carlo Aymonino
- B: Six-story slab extending north from the intersection of A1 and A2
- C: Two-story connector building linking Rossi’s block to the rest of the complex
- D: Three-story slab designed by Aldo Rossi
- Rossi, Aldo. The Architecture of the City. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1982.
- Carlo Aymonino. L’architettura non è un mito by Conforti Claudia
- Castex, Jean. Architecture of Italy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008.
