The Rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni designed the Casa del Fascio in 1932 and after its inauguration it was used as the seat of the National Fascist Party. The building is located in Como, Italy and still stands there today as a milestone of modern European architecture. During fascist rule, monumental architectures were used to promote ideologies of the state and the Casa del Fascio is no exception. To display the rigor and functionalism of Mussolini’s regime, the features of Casa del Fascio consisted of clearly proportional relationships. The four facades were of equal size and utilized translucent features to pair with voids left at the top of the building. The large open frontage also mimics the oppressive nature of the fascist regime.

The interior of Casa del Fascio displayed above exposes the smooth concrete construction. The atrium’s ceiling is covered in black Belgian marble which continues to create an oppressive atmosphere. During its time as the headquarters of the National Fascist Party, the atrium contained a shrine of the fascist martyrs. After Mussolini came into power, he established that every city should build a form of remembrance for the fascist martyrs. This shrine was a display for the people who died for the fascist movement. Casa del Fascio is considered Giuseppe Terragni’s most famous work due to the history embedded within its use.

Images retrieved from:

Danny Lettkemann’s photograph https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_del_Fascio_(Como)#/media/File:Como_-Casa_del_Fascio-_27-09-2017.jpg

José Tomás Franco’s photograph https://www.archdaily.com/author/jose-tomas-franco