La torre dell'orologio a Borgo Castello. Un divertissement ottocentesco e la didattica della costruzione

The essay is dedicated to the historical and constructive analysis of an eclectic folly: the clock tower in Borgo Castello della Mandria near Venaria Reale. The curious forms of this architectural divertissement mask a structural substance based on an anthology of masonry rules in which various architectural themes are summarized: the organization of masonry, the requirements to guarantee construction quality, and the crucial role of connections. The fact that these themes can be observed all together in such a small building makes the tower a perfect teaching model. Some lessons that the tower can provide go beyond narrow disciplinary boundaries and lead to a broader discussion of architectural design and its consequences in the domain of structures and materials.