Festina Lente

QUOTE

Augustus once said…

“Make haste slowly.”

(Founder of the Roman empire.)

CONCEPT

Festina Lente

Festina Lente is a Latin phrase that translates to "make haste slowly."

It represents the idea of combining speed with carefulness. In other words, it's about acting quickly but without rushing, ensuring that actions are both efficient and effective.

This concept emphasizes the importance of balancing urgency with caution to achieve the best possible outcomes without making mistakes due to haste.

STORY

Hurry Up … and Go Slow?

The practical application of “festina lente" can be seen in the architectural achievements of the Renaissance, particularly in the work of Filippo Brunelleschi, the Florentine architect responsible for completing the dome of the Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore.

This project, which spanned from 1420 to 1436, required an innovative approach due to the dome's unprecedented size and the absence of sufficient scaffolding technology.

Brunelleschi's solution was revolutionary: he designed a unique herringbone brick pattern and a supporting frame that allowed the dome to be self-supporting as it was constructed.

This technique not only resolved the engineering challenges but also allowed the work to proceed quickly without sacrificing safety or structural integrity.

He made rapid progress on a complex architectural feat, yet he did so with meticulous care to ensure that each phase of the construction was executed perfectly. His approach balanced the urgency of completing the city's iconic cathedral, which had been without a finished roof for over a century, with the precision required to ensure its success and durability.

Brunelleschi's dome remains one of the crowning achievements of Renaissance architecture and a testament to the wisdom of measured speed. It illustrates how taking the time to innovate and plan carefully can lead to results that endure through ages, embodying the fusion of haste and caution for effective execution.