Abstract

The meaning and the role of the new «cathedrals» can be measured - today as it was in the past - through their impacts on architecture, with specific reference to evolution or crisis phases. Urban places - in which more evident are the effects of collective, symbolic investment - change as socio-cultural aspects and ideological trends change. The last become efficient when intellectual and practical efforts go together with high quality projects. This is the case of the masters belonging to «Movimento moderno», such as Mies, Le Corbusier or Kahn, the creator of "cathedrals". But also the de-constructivist movement, although it represents decomposition, is suitable for contemplation by using the surprise effect.