Renzo Piano
The Italian Renzo Piano is an internationally renowned and distinguished architect. His work is marked by a predominant commitment which unifies the demands of technical, artistic, skilled, natural und social expectation. Since his design for the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Piano counts among the most international established architects. Known in Switzerland for the building of the Beyeler Fondation in Riehen near Basel, Piano was directly entrusted with the task to build the museum by Maurice E. Müller.
His works to date (selection)
1978
Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
1981
De Menil Collection, Houston (Texas), USA.
1991
The new church for Padre Pio, Son Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), Italy.
1995
Cy Twombly Pavilion, Houston (Texas), USA.
1996
Museum of Contemporary Art, Varnamö, Sweden.
1997
Museum for the Fondation Beyeler, Basle.
1997
National Centre for Science and Technology Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
1997
Renovation and extension of Harvard University Art Museum, Cambridge (Massachusetts), USA.
1998
Convent of the Capucines, San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), Italy.
1998
Jean Marie Tjibaou cultural centre, Nouméa, New Caledonia.
2000 The New York Times Building, New York, USA.
2002 Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli,
Turin, Italien.
2004 Whitney Museum of American Art,
New York, USA.
2005
Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern, Switzerland.
2008 Broad Contemporary
Art Museum, Los Angeles, USA.
2012 Erweiterungsbau Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, USA.
2012 London Bridge Tower, London, UK.
Biography
Born Genoa, 14 September 1937, son of a building contractor.
Studied at the Universities of Florence and Milan. Graduates from Milan Polytechnic in 1964.
During his studies, works at the offices of Franco Albini and perfects his practical training in the footsteps of his father.
Between 1965 and 1970: working with Louis I. Kahn in Philadelphia and Z.S. Makowsky in London; numerous study trips and research. Met Jean Prouvé: the start of a close friendship which was to have a major effect on Renzo Piano’s life and work.
1971: establishes Piano & Rogers partnership with architect Richard Rogers: a number of joint projects, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.
1977: establishes Piano & Rice with Peter Rice. Continues working with engineer Peter Rice until the latter’s death in 1993.
At present, Renzo Piano heads workshops in Genoa, Paris and Berlin, under the combined name of Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), with architects, engineers and other specialists working together, in some cases for years.
