lapo binazzi recreates florence's brunelleschi dome as inflatable form

lapo binazzi recreates florence’s brunelleschi dome as inflatable form
all images courtesy of florence institute of design

lapo binazzi remains one of the most influential architects of the italian radical design movement to sweep across the country in the 60s and 70s. now, a concept created 50 years ago in the days of UFO, ‘la cupola gonfiabile’, has finally been brought to life. brunelleschi’s giant cupola (dome) is one of the most recognizable symbols of renaissance florence, steeped in both religious and secular meaning.

concept sketch 1968

binazzi has recreated the dome using inflatable nylon materials with a brightly colored palette. the structure is based on a 1:5 scale and stands over ten meters tall. the ‘la cupola gonfiabile’ plays with the interaction between the monuments and the symbolic view that they hold for the people of florence. the work can also be interpreted as an updated symbol of italy’s government, led by matteo renzi, who is attempting to rid the country of the over-inflated bureaucracy of the past. ‘la cupola gonfiabile’ was inaugurated june 9th at the fondazione targetti in florence, italy. 

inflation

UFO piece in piazza del duomo, milan, italy 1968

fully inflated

distant brunelleschi dome in the background

lapo binazzi

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edited by: nick brink | designboom