IL PADIGLIONE MANDOLESI DELL’UNIVERSITÀ DI CAGLIARI

The building was designed by Enrico Mandolesi in 1962 and inaugurated in 1970. On the south-east side, it completes a large central courtyard around which the Faculty of Engineering was born. The Mandolesi pavilion, next to modest-sized buildings, dominates the complex, standing as a symbol of innovation in a very traditionalist framework. The brutalist exposed reinforced concrete is inspired by Le Corbusier other than Kenzo Tange, who advocated the concept of truth to materials. In such context one can therefore see the use of a frame on large and greatly spaced pilotis in order to create wide overhangs and free the indoor distribution from loadbearing elements, and a construction site focused on prefabrication on site, allowing a fast and modular production of the components. It is noteworthy that the site intended for industrialized construction was adapted to technological solutions where local craftmanship in construction methods prevails. Another remarkable contradiction entails flexibility, considered as one of the most significant aims in the process. In fact, while it was underlined that flexibility had to be at the core of choices related to structure and composition, the overall distribution structure is perceived as rigid instead.