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Ritual: Work

Site: Palazzo Strozzi

Location: Florence

Architect: Sangallo et al

Year of Completion: 1505

Analysis: Astra Sun

The ritual of work in the Renaissance was heavily intertwined with the living rituals of its people. This is evident in the architecture of Palazzo Strozzi. At a building scale, the palazzo is easily recognized as a place of work and living by the changing textures of brick on the facade. Residents live comfortably elevated at the piano nobile level, above their business. The servants’ level is well hidden and set back from the central courtyard. Visitors and customers must sit outside, on the benches, and wait to be addressed inside the many study rooms about their business.


The expression of the floor levels on the facade are twice as large as average floor to ceiling heights. The spaces designed for the residents reside in those double height spaces, while the servants spaces are hidden and never seen by visitors or the owner. The service space may seem small, complicated, and cramped compared to the rest of the residential and business spaces.


At a city scale, work rituals of bankers occurs mainly inside of the palazzos. The bankers are able to assert their power and have their clients journey to their place of work to conduct transactions. Upon arriving at the banker’s home, one must wait outside with other business owners. The palazzo becomes a place where the population gathers at higher densities.

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