Borromini’s S. Ivo: Perception and Plans

S. Iva’s clarity in plan seems at odds with the complexity of a visitor’s experience. This apparent contradiction reflects Borromini’s skillful balancing of several design issues, a balance that has not been echoed in historical analysis of the church. This article presents an experiential analysis of S. Iva. It examines Borromini’s plan drawings of S. Iva, including two plans (Figures 13 and 14) never before considered in the context of the church, and suggests how Borromini might have used these drawings to orchestrate the complex sequential experience of the church while maintaining the disciplined clarity of its plan.