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question 08

What makes a good architectural translation?

Piazza Navona is a good architectural translation of the Stadium of Domitian. The stadium was as a place for Romans to gather and witness a spectacle.  It served an important function in Roman society. In the 15th century the stadium form was translated into a piazza surrounded by buildings. In plan, this is a very clear translation of form and content. However, a good translation expresses both the content and the meaning of the architectural archetype. As the tourists filter into the large open space of the piazza and Romans (as well as others) watch from the surrounding buildings it becomes clear that the essence of the stadium is still there. The stadium was replaced by a different but just as successful gathering place. Piazza Navona brings more to the original by creating a constant spectacle. If you lived in an apartment above Piazza Navona you would never need a television.

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