Bureaucratic Organisation of Savoy Construction sites between the 17th and 18th century. Administration for a Unified Dynastic Project

Abstract

Since the early decades of the 20th century, there has been a growing interest in studying Turin, the capital of the Savoyard state (contributions in this field include Brinckmann, Erich, Wittkower, Pommer and Millon). Very often, the emphasis in these studies has been on what one might define “exceptional” building sites and projects, in particular those by Guarino Guarini. Nevertheless, more recent studies have shown that by looking at different contexts one can detect an ongoing and long-term refinement of construction techniques and of local traditions, which interacted with the knowledge and skills of the great protagonists of Savoyard architecture.

This study focuses on royal residences and other public buildings, which are analysed as a significant place of experimentation or continuity with local and international traditions. The research has systematically considered previous and current contributions and deeply investigates unpublished case studies. It examined the organisation of the construction site and workers, also paying attention to the accounting and financial management. These insights are complemented by a broad-ranging analysis which looks at how construction traditions and innovations interacted with developments in science. In the background, the bureaucratic administration of the 18th century absolutistic state has been deeply investigated.