“My, my, hey, hey, Rock and Roll is here to stay… Hey, hey, my, my, Rock and Roll can never die…”
“Into the Black”, Neil Young
On February 13, 2020, Massimo Roj, architect and founder of Progetto CMR, Fortunato D’Amico, and Massimo Cotto will present the book ROCKTECTURE.
In the stunning setting of DE CASTILLIA 23—a property owned by the Unipol Group, recently redeveloped through Urban Up – Unipol Projects Cities—the story of this publishing adventure will be unveiled from 7:30 p.m. onwards (admission by invitation only). The book explores how rock music has influenced architectural thinking and evolution since the 1950s, when the first rockers burst onto the global music scene and transformed it forever.
The spirit of rock is about freedom, cross-pollination, innovation and change, and architecture is perhaps the art form that has best interpreted these new ways of understanding the world.
ROCKTECTURE is a neologism combining two great passions: rock music and architecture. It is a journey through time and space, following a musical and architectural path within which the history of Progetto CMR also unfolds.
Together with curator Fortunato D’Amico, Massimo Roj selected 32 of the best projects designed by the integrated design firm Progetto CMR and paired them with 32 iconic tracks from the international rock scene. It is a wild journey through Progetto CMR’s 25-year history, a path shared by Massimo Roj with Antonella Mantica and Marco Ferrario, schoolmates before becoming business partners in the Milan-based design firm.
The idea for this book was born during the 2018 Salone del Mobile, aboard Tramway to the Future—a cultural event organized by Progetto CMR—with Michelangelo Pistoletto and Fiorenzo Galli, Director of the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
From Neil Young to Lou Reed, through the Rolling Stones, Queen, and also Edoardo Bennato and Eugenio Finardi. The publication is perfectly aligned with the architectural projects featured, as well as with the historical context of the tracks paired with each building. This is enhanced by the eclectic graphic design of Daniela Pellegrini, who developed the colors, fonts and visual imagery inspired by iconic vinyl album covers.
Virgin Radio, the quintessential rock radio station, enthusiastically embraced the project. The introduction to the book is written by Massimo Cotto, one of the station’s hosts and one of Italy’s leading experts and promoters of rock music.
Virgin Radio, which supports the communication campaign for ROCKTECTURE, will play an active role in the evening on Thursday, February 13, with the participation of Massimo Cotto and a live performance by Alteria and her band. Accompanied by three musicians, Alteria will revisit the book’s soundtrack, bringing the great classics of rock to the stage—from Led Zeppelin to Queen, from Neil Young to Patti Smith, and from the Rolling Stones to AC/DC.
Would you like to purchase your copy of Rocktecture? Write to us at presspcmr@progettocmr.com.