Repara domum meam. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi as an Example of Sustainability ante litteram

The article delves into the relationship between Franciscan architecture and environmental sustainability, with a focus on Galeazzo Alessi’s design of the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi. Alessi incorporated two existing Franciscan structures, the Porziuncola and the Chapel of the Transito, into the new basilica, using them not only as the core of the building but also as a unifying element in the architecture. Through a geometrical analysis of the basilica’s plan and longitudinal section, the study proposes that the dimensional features of the Porziuncola and the Chapel of the Transito were utilized by Alessi to create two geometrical modules: a rectangular and a square one. These modules were then repeated in designing the entire building, establishing its dimensions and rhythm. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of “building within the built” in Franciscan architecture and its relevance to contemporary environmental sustainability issues.