Buona Pasqua, tutti!

Happy Easter, everyone! It is Easter Monday in Rome and the birds are singing outside of my open window. It's overcast outside, and will look like this for the rest of the week... I would've liked to go to Ostia Lido one last time and spent a sunny day at the beach. Perhaps the clouds will let up later in the day and I'll get to go.

For now, here's what I've been up to.

Last Wednesday

Final jury day! Nobody's project was perfect, but nobody's ever really is, just as they're never truly finished. Our assignment sparked an interesting debate among the jurors about what contemporary architecture is as compared to modern architecture, what kind of designs would be deemed appropriate, and which materials to use, among limitless other topics that branch off of each other. While I'm concerned about my grade, I'm actually not all that worried. I know that in the long run, the grade isn't the most important thing; it's the topic of the conversation. What is modern architecture? Contemporary architecture? When does restoration become reconstruction, and is it ever right to recreate something in the same material as the original? What is the purpose of the project? What were we even doing? What is it that makes "good architecture" good architecture, and what makes it "bad"? What is architecture, and what is so confusing about it that gets five practicing architects questioning each other?

When I was in my first year, I remember hearing all the time that every decision made has to have an underlying reason and/or motive. And how architects must be well-rounded in many other subjects such as philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, science, literature, music, mathematics...you name it. They weren't kidding.

Holy Thursday

I spent half of the day on Tiber Island, people-watching and listening to music, and reading about Casa Malaparte.

Good Friday

Ventured out to the beach at Ostia Lido by myself to clear my mind, spent a memorable evening in Parco della Musica to hear Rome's symphony orchestra and chorus perform Mozart's "Requiem."

Holy Saturday

Didn't attend Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica because I felt sick. :(

Easter Sunday

Did attend Mass with Speer at St. John Lateran. It was beautiful in all senses. After we came back, he and I made our way to Villa Ada with Coxe to have a picnic. The largest park in Rome, it was so fun to explore new grounds and see families enjoying themselves. The clouds parted for most of the day, taking a break from overcast skies to join in the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.