The Grid and the Labyrinth: from Ancient Rome to Modern Architecture

Contrary to conventional architectural wisdom, the grid and labyrinth are not opposing forces but have coexisted throughout history, including in ancient Roman architecture. A study of Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli reveals that even seemingly irrational, labyrinthine designs can emerge from rational planning systems, challenging assumptions about order versus complexity. The research employs a comparative approach, analyzing the spatial organization and cultural context of the villa to demonstrate how structured grids and labyrinthine elements coexisted in Roman architecture, offering insights into Hadrian's masterful integration of these design principles.

Ytterberg, Michael. (2019). THE GRID AND THE LABYRINTH: FROM ANCIENT ROME TO MODERN ARCHITECTURE. Architext, (7), 26–45. https://doi.org/10.26351/architext/7/11