Attività poco note di Giulio Podesti (1842-1909) per la realizzazione di Roma Capitale

The article investigates the role and the work of the architect Giulio Podesti (1842-1909) on the scene of “Roma Capitale”, when the city was declared capital of the Italian state. Mainly known for the project of the polyclinic Umberto I, during those years Podesti played a leading role and he had a prolific career, alongside Gaetano Koch, Giuseppe Sacconi, Pio Piacentini and many others. His production was copious, especially about residential buildings for the expansion of Rome. The essay focuses firstly on Podesti’s work within AACAR and secondly on the decidedly little-known project for the Botanical Garden of Rome in the park of Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara, in the aftermath of its insertion in this place, in 1883. Podesti, who was one of the founding members of AACAR, had an active role within it, participating numerous commissions organized by the members regarding relevant issues of the current debate. Exemplifying, he was a member of the commission for the profession of architect, of the commission promoting an exhibition on the XX century architecture, and of the commission for the development of the Schools of Architecture. Moreover, after the purchase by the State of the Corsini palace and garden, on the direct interest of Quintino Sella, to insert in the palace the Academy of Sciences and the Botanical Garden, Podesti was engaged in the re-arrangement of the building, and this is the aspect most illustrated in the paper, in the construction of the building to be used as the gardener’s and director’s residence, including the greenhouse placed next the Botanical Garden, in 1888-1889.