Since its construction in the early 1960s, in front of the cathedral and adjacent to the Roman archaeological area, the municipal office of the Public Works in Piazza San Giovanni, Turin, has been the focus of heated debate about its insertion into the heart of the old city center. This book sheds light on the controversial decision-making and planning procedures behind the building's construction and the layout of its surrounding urban context. A rich and intricate account emerges from comparison between the various urban planning and architectural proposals, which interpreted symbolic and civil values of the day. Michele Bonino is an architect and received a Ph.D. in History of Architecture and Urban Planning. He lectures at the Politecnico di Torino. 884221406X