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Collection by Olivia Martin

Design Icon: Renzo Piano

We highlight Italian architect Renzo Piano, winner of the Pritzker Prize and one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world.

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Photo: David L. Ryan/Boston Globe
Photo: David L. Ryan/Boston Globe
A view of the new Living Room visitor orientation space on the ground floor of the Gardner's new wing. Furniture selected by Renzo Piano Workshop, including the vibrant red seating. Not pictured: a guest book commissioned from artist Stefano Arienti, who also created the installation piece hanging on the entry facade.
A view of the new Living Room visitor orientation space on the ground floor of the Gardner's new wing. Furniture selected by Renzo Piano Workshop, including the vibrant red seating. Not pictured: a guest book commissioned from artist Stefano Arienti, who also created the installation piece hanging on the entry facade.
Le Meridien Lingotto—Once a Fiat car factory, this hotel is an example of a popular blend of architecture in Europe which mixes the old with the new. A competition was held to see which architect would bring the old factory into the 21st century, and the winner was Renzo Piano, who took on the 800,000 sq.ft. factory and transformed it into the successful hotel you see today. Photo by: ilsole24ore Where: Turin, Italy What: Design hotel; old meets new Designed by: Renzo Piano
Le Meridien Lingotto—Once a Fiat car factory, this hotel is an example of a popular blend of architecture in Europe which mixes the old with the new. A competition was held to see which architect would bring the old factory into the 21st century, and the winner was Renzo Piano, who took on the 800,000 sq.ft. factory and transformed it into the successful hotel you see today. Photo by: ilsole24ore Where: Turin, Italy What: Design hotel; old meets new Designed by: Renzo Piano
The sunlight, which burns bright and then disappears quickly behind the clouds, sends an ever-changing array of shadows onto the piazza.
The sunlight, which burns bright and then disappears quickly behind the clouds, sends an ever-changing array of shadows onto the piazza.
When the skylight at center is open, the mirrors send a ray of light that hits the middle at a perpendicular angle. The barrels are moved in and out of the space by huge machines with telescopic arms.
When the skylight at center is open, the mirrors send a ray of light that hits the middle at a perpendicular angle. The barrels are moved in and out of the space by huge machines with telescopic arms.