Renzo Piano's contribution to architecture is recognized internationally just as his achievements are on a global scale. Indeed, he has often cited the very concept of travel as the inspiration as well as the means of his work.

Since he graduated in 1964, his career has taken him to all corners of the globe, on projects and worksites that have included museums, factories and urban renewal. This focus was established from his early key commission for the Centre Georges Pompidou in 1971, working in partnership with Richard Rogers, when he discovered Paris. Since then, he has retained an office there, in addition to Punta Nave, Italy. These are the two centres of his world, from where he travels to places as far as New Caledonia in between.

Renzo Piano's contribution to architecture is recognized internationally just as his achievements are on a global scale. Indeed, he has often cited the very concept of travel as the inspiration as well as the means of his work.

Since he graduated in 1964, his career has taken him to all corners of the globe, on projects and worksites that have included museums, factories and urban renewal. This focus was established from his early key commission for the Centre Georges Pompidou in 1971, working in partnership with Richard Rogers, when he discovered Paris. Since then, he has retained an office there, in addition to Punta Nave, Italy. These are the two centres of his world, from where he travels to places as far as New Caledonia in between.

 A spirit of adventure pervades each project by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, wherever it may be, whether small or large in scale. It is this spirit, found in each preliminary sketch and followed through to each realization, that finds its expression through constant exploration, as each project pushes boundaries, explores new technologies and takes on new challenges. Such are the characteristics for which Renzo Piano is particularly recognized. It is in celebration of this spirit of architecture that Piano repeatedly embarks on a new journey, and which is expressed in his work from early sketch to masterplan, from the design of each structure to each tiny detail.

Introduction

1971/1977

Centre Georges Pompidou

Paris, France

1971/1990

IRCAM

Paris, France

1992/1998

Atelier Brancusi Reconstruction

Paris, France

1982/1987

The Menil Collection

Houston, Texas, USA

1992/1995

Cy Twombly Pavilion

Houston, Texas, USA

1983/1986

IBM Travelling Pavilion

Travelling, Europe

1983/2003

Lingotto Factory Conversion

Turin, Italy

2000/2002

The Giovanni and Marella Agnelli

Art Gallery at Lingotto

Turin, Italy

1985/2001

Re-development of the Genoa

Old Harbour

Genoa, Italy

1987/1990

San Nicola Football Stadium

Bari, Italy

1988/1994

Kansai International Airport Terminal

Osaka, Japan

1989/1991

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Punta Nave, Genoa, Italy

1991/1997

Beyeler Foundation Museum

Riehen, Basel, Switzerland

1991/1998

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center

Noumea, New Caledonia

1991/2001

Banca Popolare di Lodi Headquarters

Lodi, Italy

1992/1997

NEMO

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

1992/2000

Potsdamer Platz Reconstruction

Berlin, Germany

1994/2002

'Parco della Musica' Auditorium

Rome, Italy

1996/2000

Aurora Place

Sydney, Australia

1997/2001

Niccolo Paganini Auditorium

Parma, Italy

1998/2001

Maison Hermes

Tokyo, Japan

1999/2003

The Nasher Sculpture Center

Dallas, Texas, USA

Credits, Selected Bibliography,

Prizes and Acknowledgements