Architecture as the Art of Repetition

Seriality in architecture refers to a model that has such a well-defined aesthetic, functional and structural identity that once it is combined with other models it will not lose its characteristics. The model can be considered on different scales, starting from the architectural element or part, up to the urban dimension. From a typological point of view, one may say that seriality is generally associated with housing or the functions related to it. It should also be noted that seriality, to put it in Franco Purini’s words, is a notion that is inherent to architecture as a discipline, since elements replicated in a sequence or a given order can be found in every architectural work which is a veritable art of repetition. Indeed, for obvious reasons related to housing affordability, all buildings are characterized by the use of serial features. However, in this essay we will discuss the architectural works that made seriality their distinguishing feature by leveraging it as a true architectural theme.