PrettyBuildings
The stucco of this classical #facade in #Zurich is broken, and reveals the brick wall below. Covering brick walls with #stucco was already done in #ancientRome, but today many architects dislike such techniques, as they want to achieve a 'sincere' use of materials. A pity IMHO, I like stucco. #architecture
Dec 30 at 10:11amPachli
Show threadacbDec 30
@macst Stucco is one thing: partitioning it into fake slabs of monumental stone to pass the quotidian brickwork off as something grander just feels dishonest.
Show threadPrettyBuildingsDec 30

@acb Yes, nowadays this feels dishonest to most people.
However, it was common practice until 100 years ago. The Colosseum in Rome is mainly made out of Brickwork, covered in travertine stone to make it feel grander. In villas, the Romans would usually cover the brickwork with plaster, coloured to imitate marble.

I don't mind fake, if it increases grandeur and beauty.

More recent (and humble) examples here https://mastodon.social/@macst/115706041222674904 or here https://mastodon.social/@macst/115502234364812024.

Show threadacbDec 30
@macst Stone cladding over a cheaper interior is one thing (and generally acceptable IMHO; one shouldn’t have to choose between the two poles of expensive stonemasonry and brutalist aesthetics), but plaster with grooves pressed into it to make it look like stone just feels sleazy. It’s like the grooved plastic sheets dodgy landlords clad bathroom walls with in lieu of tiles.