Built in three stages across 194 years starting in 1173 by various builders and masons, the tower of Pisa is a peculiar case where a struggle against natural ground tectonics over a long period of time has yielded unique morphology. The design of the tower, regardless of tilt, is worthy of investigation. Romanesque loggia stack on top of one another into the air with a striking lack of regard to the scale of the man on the ground (see my thoughts on neo-classical skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan in post 04). Classical instances of ascending loggia tend to lighten as they rise on top of one another, but the tower of Pisa features 6 similar loggia that precariously stack upward. This is made all the more precarious by the tilt which is caused by the tower settling into soft soil. This settling was even occurring between the original construction phases. Builders in 1272 actually compensated for the initial degree of settling after the first phase, causing the tower itself to be curved slightly. So on one hand, the entire tower leans at a rather noticeable 4 degrees, but the form of the tower curves slightly back upward.
The effect, while unintended, is quite sublime. Engineers of late have made efforts to stabilize the tower, most notably in the 1990s. The intent is not to remove the tilt - only to stabilize it, since the tilt has a value of its own. Modern building practices make these 'unintended' deformations infrequent.
Image Source: Wikipedia
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