La colonia marina Vittorio Emanuele III

The Colonia Marina Vittorio Emanuele III was born of the general urban development plan proposed by the Associazione Artistica fra i Cultori di Architettura in Roma in 1916. This proposal followed a first one by the Comitato Pro Roma Marittima in 1911. The Associazione Artistica plan presented by the Cultori was conceived by the architects Giovannoni, Piacentini, Fasolo, Passarelli and Petrignani. It consisted of a plan to build a children’s colony for those in need of heliotherapeutic care. The design was entrusted to Piacentini and the construction was completed in 1920. An extension was later necessary for those struggling with tuberculosis. The project for this second colony was entrusted to Vincenzo Fasolo in 1926. At the time he was busy on another construction in Ostia: the Palace of the Municipal Delegation (between 1924 and 1928). Construction of the new colony began in 1927 and was completed in 1930. The new building had to respond to various needs that are perfectly respected in its design concept. In this project, as in that of the Delegation, we can read Vincenzo Fasolo thoughts on design. His architectural temperament can be seen in the various school buildings he designed and built in Rome in the years 1920–28, when he lent service at the Governorate Office. The style of Fasolo’s colony reflects the taste of its architect, characterised by a romantic vision based on traditional stylistic materials revisited and reinterpreted in an original fashion.