‘Creating Architecture’:
Renzo Piano at Cersaie 2009
Architect Renzo Piano will be the guest speaker at Cersaie 2009. On Thursday 1 October in the Palazzo dei Congressi in Bologna, Renzo Piano will give a keynote address entitled 'Creating Architecture'. The event will begin at 11.00 a.m. following a press conference held at 10.00 a.m.
As an architect, Renzo Piano has left his intriguing marks around the world. When - on 1 October 2008 - he was awarded the 2008 Sonning Prize (DKK 1 million), the jury’s recommendation of him stated: “While his work embraces the idiom, the materials and the latest technological competence of this era, he is clearly a European with deep roots in classical Italian tradition, architectural history and philosophy. His intellectual curiosity and problem solving techniques can be recognized in elegantly expressed structures and constructions. But his belief in the social aspects of architecture and humanitarian ideals makes him to the same extent intensely engaged in planning housing areas as well as scenery and sustainability.”
We mention the Sonning Prize’s recommendation because it perfectly summarizes all reasons why – when looking for an eminent architect for the annual lectio magistralis at Cersaie 2009 - the choice on Renzo Piano was quite immediate. This year, in fact, the trade fair appointment in Bologna will focus for sure on searching for smart, sustainable solutions to overcome the international economic crises (and its social/environmental consequences). Who better than Piano could share with us the lessons he learnt on the international scene and, in the meanwhile, embody the best of the worldwide recognized ‘Italian esprit’?