Ten Books on Architecture

violent. They suffer only two exceptions; first, that in this slow drying much time is lost, which otherwise could be spent on collection; second, that they lack a certain draining thirst or fiery appetite for imbibing lime, which ought to bind the structure together. But this controversy may be deferred to the South, where there is more heat and patience. Wherefore I do not wish to linger longer on this scruple, but I conclude this part concerning materials with a principal caution: that a supply of material and money must always be ready before we undertake a structure; for if one part is built now and another later at intervals, the structure dries and settles unevenly, whence the walls turn out wrinkled and cracked: wherefore such delays are rightly disapproved by Palladio (book 1, ch. 1) and all others. Having excerpted these observations on material as if a Gleanings, it is permitted now to proceed to the disposition which forms the work. In form, just as I did in site, I will first consider the general configuration, then the individual members.

Figures are either simple or mixed. Simple ones are either circular or angular: and of the circular, they are either perfect or deficient, such as ovals. With these species I shall be content, although a more accurate division could be made.

Furthermore, the exact circle is truly a figure which obtains many suitable and eminent properties for our purpose; for example, aptitude for convenience and reception, since it is most capacious; likewise for firmness and duration, since it is composed of parts most united; for beauty and pleasure, since it imitates the celestial orbs and the form of the universe. Furthermore, it seems to have nature's approval, since it acts by instinct, which is the mysticism of that school; for birds make their nests spherical. Truly, notwithstanding these attributes, it is in reality a very useless figure in private structures, because it is the most expensive of all; wasting much space by the curvature of the walls when it is divided; besides the poor distribution of light from the center of the roof. So that in antiquity it was not used, except in Temples and Amphitheaters, in which partitions were not required. Ovals and other imperfect circular figures suffer the same exceptions, and a lesser benefit of capacity. So that there remains to be contemplated, in this general disquisition of figures, the angular and that which is mixed from both. As regards the angular, although it may seem more foreign, yet it is a true observation that this art loves neither many nor few angles. For first, the triangle, which has fewer sides and corners, is disapproved of above all others as being truly incapable and weak (the reason for which will be rendered later) and not resolvable into any regular figure other than itself in interior partitions.

As for figures of five, six, seven, or more angles, these are more suitable for military structures, in which ramparts can be projected at the corners and the sides serve as intervals, than for civil use: although I am not unaware of that famous building of Caprarola, which was constructed for the Farnese family by Barozzi in a pentagonal figure, with an inscription in which the Architect ingenuously confesses that he struggled with the suitable placement of lights and the avoiding of voids. But as these efforts aspire more to rarity than to convenience, I would prefer to admire them than to greatly commend them.

These things having been weighed, as much the precepts as the practice of the best Architects, we are led to approve the rectangular square, as a mean between too few and too many angles; and because of the equal inclination of the sides (which make a rectangle) it is firmer than a rhombus or other irregular square. But whether an exact square or one more oblong is better, I do not find determined, although in my judgment, I would prefer the latter; yet so that the length does not exceed the width by more than a third part; for otherwise it would diminish the grace of the aspect, as will be clear when we treat of Symmetry.