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Lessons from Florence

When our Director Rob set out for Florence on the final leg of his recent family holiday, he was eager to learn more about the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Instead, he discovered Filippo Brunelleschi, the original Renaissance architect, whose innovations would inspire not just those great masters, but countless others. However, perhaps the most important takeaway was the importance of curiosity and continued learning, which remains as relevant today as it was at the outset of the Renaissance in 15th-century Florence.

A Short Story

The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Construction began in 1296, yet the cathedral sat without a dome for over a century, as no one knew how to construct one of the magnitudes it was designed to take. It wasn’t until a competition was held in 1418 and won by an ingenious design by Brunelleschi that allowed work on the dome to commence in 1420.

Brunelleschi’s design was truly groundbreaking, offering not only a solution for the dome’s construction but also a method that eliminated the need for extensive ‘centering’ (a temporary scaffolding method) by employing a double-skin structure with clever use of herringbone brick coursing. This innovative approach not only reduced costs but also enhanced stability. The ingenious use of stone “chains” and wood and metal chains instead of traditional buttresses to transfer lateral loads vertically illustrated his exceptional problem-solving skills, driven by an insatiable desire to learn and improve. The Dome was completed in 1436.

What is even more fascinating is how Brunelleschi arrived at this point. After losing the commission for the bronze doors of the Baptistry to rival Lorenzo Ghiberti, he felt a deep sense of frustration. Rather than succumbing to defeat, he seized the opportunity to embark on a 15-year journey to Rome. There, he immersed himself in the study of ancient Roman architecture, learning from magnificent structures like the Pantheon. This period of learning fuelled by his relentless curiosity, provided him with the knowledge that would inspire his most remarkable design.

Upon his return to Florence, Brunelleschi’s acquired knowledge and innovative spirit positioned him perfectly to win the competition for the dome. The collaborative nature of Renaissance projects saw rival Ghiberti appointed to work alongside him. Such was the rivalry between the two that Brunelleschi didn’t share full details of how his design was to be constructed and at a crucial time during the build he allegedly feigned illness only to allow Ghiberti to flounder and appear inept. Brunelleschi made a ‘miraculous’ recovery and returned to save the day while Ghiberti was sidelined.

Brunelleschi’s ingenuity extended beyond the dome itself; his designs for the machinery used in its construction inspired Leonardo da Vinci, whose sketches incorporated many Brunelleschi innovations. Michelangelo later drew upon Brunelleschi’s work when designing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Brunelleschi’s journey serves as a salient reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is vital for growth, success, and the creation of a better future. His relentless curiosity and commitment to ongoing learning enabled him to transform setbacks into remarkable triumphs. As we face the challenges of designing and repurposing the buildings and places of tomorrow, Brunelleschi’s story stands as a testament to the enduring importance of curiosity, the lessons we can glean from the past, and ultimately of the need for us as Architects to add value by being innovative problem solvers.