Santa Maria Novella, the façade

In 1456 the wealthy [wealth is the noun, wealthy is the adjective] merchant Giovanni Rucellai, ordered/commissioned to [to isn't necessary, he commisioned Leon] Leon Battista Alberti to redesign the façade of the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella. At the beginning of the work Alberti had to solve a big problem that was the integration of the existing tombs of famous florentine citizens and the gothic doors of the previous building.
He was able to overcome it transforming the lower part/zone with classical elements like the four coloumns and the two side pilasters. Then he enclosed the large central main door with an arch and separated the lower part of the facade from the upper part by means of a wide horizontal strip decorated with square inlay. On the top, [no the is necessary, on top] he created a structure/architecture that refers to a classical temple with these two spirals connecting the two different areas.
His skill was realizing a façade in which two different styles were put together and nevertheless they seem harmonious and balanced. Despite gothic elements it’s still considered a masterpiece, one of the biggest example of Renaissance architecture thanks to the use of a regular design, ordered by mathematical and geometrical rules.

Extremely well written and an interesting read!