Renzo Piano
Occupation	Architect
Awards	Pritzker Architecture Prize RIBA Gold Medal Sonning Prize AIA Gold Medal Kyoto Prize

Buildings	Kansai International Airport Centre Georges Pompidou Parco della Musica Shard London Bridge The New York Times Building Whitney Museum of American Art Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Renzo Piano (born September 14, 1937) is a famous Italian architect. He has designed many well-known buildings around the world. Some of his most famous works include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France, and The Shard skyscraper in London, England. He also designed the Kansai International Airport in Japan and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

In 1998, Renzo Piano won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is like the Nobel Prize for architecture. Since 2013, he has also been a Senator for Life in the Italian Senate. This is a special honor given to a few important people in Italy.

Early Life and First Designs
Designing the Pompidou Centre
Notable Projects (1991–2000)
Projects (2001–2009)
Recent Projects (2010 to Present)
Honors and Awards
- Selected Awards
Professional and Personal Life
List of works
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and First Designs

Renzo Piano was born and grew up in Genoa, Italy. His family had a long history in building. His grandfather started a construction business, which his father and uncles expanded.

Renzo studied architecture at the University of Florence and the Polytechnic University of Milan. He finished his studies in 1964. After graduating, he worked with famous architects like Louis Kahn in Philadelphia and engineer Zygmunt Stanisław Makowski in London. This helped him learn many new skills.

In 1968, he completed his first building, a factory in Genoa. It had a unique roof made of steel and reinforced plastic. In 1970, he got his first international job: designing the Italian Industry Pavilion for Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan. This building was light and modern, made of steel and plastic.

Designing the Pompidou Centre

In 1971, Renzo Piano teamed up with British architect Richard Rogers. They started their own firm, Piano and Rogers. Their first big project was an office building in Italy. It had heating and water pipes on the outside, painted in bright colors like blue, red, and yellow. This unusual design caught a lot of attention.

Centre Pompidou in Paris (1973–1977)

The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (1971–1977)

In 1971, Piano and Rogers won a competition to design a new museum in Paris, France. It was a big surprise because they were not very well known. Their design for the Centre Georges Pompidou turned architecture "inside-out."

All the building's pipes, ducts, and even escalators were placed on the outside. They were painted in bright colors. This made the building look like a giant, colorful machine. It became a huge success and made Renzo Piano famous worldwide.

Piano said the Pompidou Centre was like "a bizarre boat in dry dock." He explained it was a challenge to traditional architecture and a playful take on technology.

Menil Collection in Houston (1981–1987)

The Menil Collection in Houston, Texas (1982–1987)

After 1977, Piano started working with engineer Peter Rice. One of their first major projects was the Menil Collection art museum in Houston, Texas. The owner wanted the museum to use as much natural light as possible.

This building looks very different from the Pompidou Centre. It has simple gray and white shapes. The clever technology, like special shutters and air conditioning, is hidden inside. This allows lots of natural light while protecting the art from the strong Texas sun.

Revitalizing Genoa's Old Port (1985–2001)

Piano also worked on a large project to bring new life to the old port of his hometown, Genoa. He turned the industrial area into a cultural and tourist spot. He added new buildings, including the Aquarium of Genoa, an auditorium, and a botanical garden inside a glass dome.

He also designed a giant "crane" that lifts visitors high up for amazing views of the port. His own office, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, is also located nearby, built into a hillside overlooking the sea.

Notable Projects (1991–2000)

Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan (1991–1994)
Nemo Science Centre in Amsterdam (1997)
Fondation Beyeler, in Basel, Switzerland (1991–1997)
Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, New Caledonia (1991–1998)

Kansai International Airport (1991–1994)

In 1988, Piano won a competition to design a new airport in Osaka, Japan. This airport was built on an artificial island. The main terminal is very long (1.7 kilometers) and low. This design allows air traffic controllers to see planes on the runways easily.

Because Japan has many earthquakes, the building uses special hydraulic joints. These joints help the structure move with the earth during tremors. The roof is covered with 82,000 stainless steel panels that reflect sunlight.

Fondation Beyeler (1991–1997)

The Fondation Beyeler is an art museum in Switzerland. It was designed to feel calm and peaceful. It has white walls, light-colored wooden floors, and uses natural light. The museum's design helps visitors focus on the art.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre (1991–1998)

The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, New Caledonia, is one of Piano's most unique buildings. It was built to showcase the culture of the Kanak people. The design mixes traditional local wood with modern materials like glass and aluminum.

The center has a series of curved wooden screens, some as tall as 28 meters. These screens protect the buildings from the weather and let in sunlight. The curving shapes are inspired by local architecture.

NEMO Science Centre (1992–1997)

Piano also designed the NEMO Science Centre in Amsterdam. It sits on the edge of the harbor and looks like the hull of a giant ship.

Potsdamer Platz in Berlin (1992–2000)

Potsdamer Platz Berlin project (Piano buildings on right)

Renzo Piano helped redesign Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany. This historic area was destroyed during World War II. Piano designed several new buildings there. His designs used copper roofs and clear glass facades.

One special feature of his buildings here is a double glass wall. This helps reduce the need for air conditioning and heating. Piano wanted the new Potsdamer Platz to feel lively and welcoming, reflecting the "gaiety" of Berliners.

Projects (2001–2009)

Auditorium of the Parco della Musica, Rome (1994–2002)
Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas (1999–2003)
Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland (1999–2005)
The New York Times Building in New York City (2000–2007)
California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (2000–2008)
Modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago (2000–2009)

Auditorium of the Parco della Musica (1994–2002)

The Parco della Musica in Rome, Italy, is a large complex of music halls. It has three concert halls, the largest seating 2,800 people. Piano designed the seating to surround the orchestra, like a vineyard. The buildings have unique "armadillo-like" steel shells on the outside and warm wood interiors.

Nasher Sculpture Center (1999–2003)

The Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas, was built to show a collection of modern sculptures. The building has a simple design, with walls of travertine marble and a glass ceiling that filters light. Outside, there is a sunken sculpture garden. The design helps visitors focus on the art without distractions.

Zentrum Paul Klee (1999–2005)

The Zentrum Paul Klee near Bern, Switzerland, is another art museum designed by Piano. Its galleries look like rolling hills, inspired by the Swiss countryside. The design helps protect the delicate drawings of artist Paul Klee from sunlight.

New York Times Building (2000–2007)

The New York Times Building in New York City (2000–2007)

Renzo Piano designed The New York Times Building in New York City. The newspaper wanted a building that looked open and transparent. The most striking feature is a clear glass curtain wall outside the main facade. This wall acts like a sunscreen, reducing the need for tinted glass.

California Academy of Sciences (2000–2008)

After an earthquake damaged their old buildings, the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco decided to rebuild. Piano designed a complex of buildings under one large roof, like a "village." The 1.5-hectare roof is covered with plants, blending with the surrounding Golden Gate Park. Three glass domes on the roof let in natural light.

Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing (2000–2009)

Modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago (2000–2009)

Piano designed a new wing for the Art Institute of Chicago. This modern wing uses glass, steel, and white stone, matching the older building. It makes great use of natural light. A horizontal sunscreen on the roof, called the "flying carpet," helps filter sunlight. A steel bridge connects the museum to Millennium Park.

Recent Projects (2010 to Present)

The Shard, London, UK (2012)
Central Saint Giles, London (2002–2010)
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (BCAM), Los Angeles, California (2003–2010)
Parliament House in Valletta, Malta (2011–2015)
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City (2007–2015)
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece (2016)

The Shard, London (2000–2012)

The Shard, London, UK (2012)

The Shard in London is a 305-meter-high skyscraper. When it was finished in 2012, it was the tallest building in Europe. It has luxury homes, a hotel, offices, shops, and restaurants. Piano designed it to look like a "bell tower" or a "mast of a great ship," with a top that seems to disappear into the clouds. He wanted it to be a light and sharp presence in London's skyline.

Central Saint Giles, London (2002–2010)

Central Saint Giles, London (2002–2010)

The Central Saint Giles complex in London includes apartments and offices around a public square. A special feature of these buildings is their bright, solid colors. They are covered with large ceramic panels in shades of green, orange, gray, and yellow. Piano believes cities should be full of "joyful surprises" and not be dull.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2003–2010)

For the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Piano designed new buildings and entrances. He used cream-colored Italian travertine stone to match the older museum buildings. He added his signature touches, like fin-like white sun shutters on the roof and a bright red escalator on the outside.

Whitney Museum of American Art (2007–2015)

Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City (2007–2015)

The Whitney Museum of American Art moved to a new building in New York City. The museum has an industrial look to fit its neighborhood. Besides indoor galleries, it has a large outdoor exhibit space. The building uses steel, concrete, stone, and recycled materials. Critics praised its "open, changeable spaces" and how it connects art with the city.

Valletta City Gate and Parliament House, Malta (2011–2015)

Piano led a big project to redesign the main entrance to Valletta, the capital of Malta. This included a new City Gate through the old city walls and a new Parliament House. The Parliament building mixes modern techniques with the look of the city's old stone walls.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (2016)

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece (2016)

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, Greece, is one of Piano's most impressive projects. It combines the Greek National Library and a new opera house. An artificial hill was created to give the building a view of the sea. The entire structure is covered by a large flat roof with solar panels. These panels generate enough electricity to make the building self-sufficient during the day.

Honors and Awards

In 1998, Renzo Piano won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is often called the Nobel Prize of architecture. The jury said he helped "redefine modern and postmodern architecture."

In 2006, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2013, he was appointed a Senator for Life in the Italian Senate.

Selected Awards

1989, Royal Gold Medal
1990, Kyoto Prize
1995, Praemium Imperiale
1998, Pritzker Architecture Prize
2008, AIA Gold Medal
2008, Sonning Prize

Professional and Personal Life

Renzo Piano started his own firm, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), in 1981. It has offices in Paris, Genoa, and New York.

In 2004, he became the head of the Renzo Piano Foundation. This foundation helps promote the architecture profession.

After becoming a Senator for Life in 2013, Renzo Piano started a team of young architects called G124. This team works on improving the suburbs of Italy's major cities. Piano uses his senator's salary to pay the team members.

Piano lives in Paris with his second wife, Milly, and has four children.