Happy 79th birthday, Renzo Piano! The Pritzker Prize–winning architect first gained global recognition in his mid-30s with the design of the Centre Pompidou, and decades later, he is still garnering our attention.
While some may argue that Piano lacks a certain “signature” style that many of his illustrious peers possess, the Italian architect continues to design impressive structures, including Europe’s tallest building, The Shard. With a decidedly long list of current projects, it seems that the man without an instantly recognizable brand is doing just fine, creating works that offer a more transcendent experience.
“I hate this idea of a repetitive gesture or a self-referential attitude; I hate this idea of being trapped by the need to promote your griffe — your label — but at the same time I love the idea of coherence,” said Piano in an interview with Dezeen editor-in-chief, Marcus Fairs. “I love the idea that an architect has their own language. We have to constantly fight against the temptation to repeat yourself.”
In celebration of Renzo’s birthday, take a moment to read about some of his recent projects in greater depth, and let us know your favorite in the comments section below.
© Michel Denancé
Valleta City Gate, Valleta, Malta; photo© John Cilia Photography
Read more: Stone’s Throwback: Renzo Piano Modernizes an Ancient Material in Malta
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, N.Y.; photo by Karin Jobst, courtesy Whitney Museum of American Art
Read more: Renzo Piano Building Works: It’s Not Hard to See the Appeal of the New Downtown Whitney
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece; photo courtesy Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Read more: Renzo Piano’s “Flying Carpet” Canopy Tops a New Cultural Center in Athens
Krause Gateway Center, Des Moines, Iowa;rendering courtesy Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Read more: Pillars and Planes: Renzo Piano’s “Levitating Layers” Set for Construction in Iowa
GES2 Arts and Cultural Center, Moscow, Russia; rendering courtesy Renzo Piano Building Workshop
BONUS: Step inside Renzo Piano’s “Building Workshop” with our special feature on architects’ studios! For more information on the practice and further projects by the architect, check out his in-depth firm profile page.
Top image via Путешествия по Франции (Travel to France)