Use of digital collections as a source of architectural treatises: Old sources for the new classical architect

Abstract

Until the beginning of 20th century the axis around which good Architecture rotated was based on Western Classical and Traditional Architecture. After the First World War a new paradigm emerged with Modernism and, through variations, has become the dominant way of understanding and designing new architecture. However, since the last decades of 20th century there has been a return to the origins without denying the value of Modern Architecture. Although it might be easy to think that professionals and academics have almost lost their capacity of understanding Classical and Traditional Architecture as a design tool rather than just a heritage to admire, thanks to digital collections, it has never been so easy for the architect to get in touch with the main source of inspiration of the Western World.