Sunday, January 4, 2009

Half-Dome Fad

Cisternone by Pasquale Poccianti, LivornoThe “Cisternone” (large cistern) is the largest of the three cisterns of Livorno: it was built between 1829 and 1842 on a project by the architect Pasquale Poccianti (1774-1858). The building appears quite unusual in its design, due to the open dome which resembles a cut-away architectural model, appearing as a half-dome or “semi-cupola”.Old postcard, Cisternone by Pasquale Poccianti, LivornoThis cistern was (and still is) used for water storage and treatment before distribution. A later removal of the gravel filtering system enhanced its maximum capacity up to 2.6 million gallons of water (10.000 cubic metres).Naumburg Bandshell by William G. Tachau, New YorkThe “Cisternone” was also considered as an inspiration for several half-dome bandshells, such as the famous Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, New York, designed by William G. Tachau in 1916.

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