In 1969, Italian architecture firm Archizoom proposed some bold new designs for the historic centers of Europe, including this ”Residential Building for Historical Centre’ was envisioned as a way to get close and personal with some of Florence’s greatest architecture. Zoom ahead 30 years and this superarchitecture has become commonplace: witness the Eisenman/Gwathmey/Holl/Meier finalist entry for the World Trade Center competition (and my clear favorite), or OMA’s proposed Louisville Museum Plaza (bottom). Never underestimate the power of collage to set the direction for the future.
