The defense of the technique of rammed earth made by Giovanni Battista Antonelli in 1560

Abstract

Military engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli (1527–1588) served the Spanish crown at the time when King Philip II (1527–1598) needed to defend his vast empire. The controversial Italian engineer was one of the best representatives of the alla moderna design, clearly demonstrated by the use of the typical 16th century geometry. In addition, contrary to the prevailing trend of the period, he was a defender of earth building in defensive architecture, and more specifically of rammed earth construction. The aim of the present work is to deepen in the knowledge of: the arguments that led Antonelli to defend the use of rammed earth against the tendency to use the stone, supported in this case by Vespasiano Gonzaga, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Valencia; and Antonelli’s influence on the design of the new towers that were built to defend the Spanish eastern coastline. © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, London.