Leon battista Alberti, accountant and theoretical to Italian Renaissance Architect. Working in Cosimo De Medici family. Working in Florence in Church and Palace and in North Italy. Refined designer.
The medici family made its fortune in banking. So perhaps the heavy rustication was chosen by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo to give the palazzo a feeling of security. Something the Florentines would want from their bank. Anyways I don't feel like the "fortress" appearance should be looked down upon when compared to Alberti's Palazzo Rucellai because it did have a very apparent purpose.
This is some next-level keeping up with the Jones' stuff. 😅 If I recall the Medici family history, I don't blame them for wanting a fortified-looking palace. Super dramatic and violent. I do like the look of it, though. For capitals, is Tuscan synonymous with Doric? We haven't discussed the former much... I can only imagine how expensive breathing is in that shoe store, lol.
We use to have these kinds of buildings in my city but unfortunately they were being demolished and constructed with modern buildings in exchange as the old buildings are hazardous to earthquakes, fires etc.
