Origins & Early Life

Renzo Piano (Italian: [ˈrɛntso ˈpjaːno]; born 14 September 1937) is an Italian architect. His notable works include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (with Richard Rogers, 1977), The Shard in London (2012), Kansai International Airport in Osaka (1994), the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City (2015), Istanbul Museum of Modern Art in Istanbul (2022), Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens (2016) and The New York Times Building in New York City (2007). He was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1998. Piano has served as a senator for life in the Italian Senate since 2013.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Piano was born and raised in Genoa, Italy, into a family of builders. His grandfather had created a masonry enterprise, which had been expanded by his father, Carlo Piano, and his father's three brothers, into the firm Fratelli Piano. The firm prospered after World War II, constructing houses and factories and selling construction materials. When his father retired, the enterprise was led by Renzo's older brother, Ermanno, who studied engineering at the University of Genoa. Renzo studied architecture at the University of Florence and Polytechnic...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Andrew Mellon — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Anthony Hopkins — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Esteemed Welsh actor celebrated for powerful stage and screen performances.
• Alexander von Humboldt — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1769): German polymath, geographer, and naturalist who pioneered biogeography and modern science.
• Allan Bloom — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1930): American philosopher and classicist known for championing Great Books education.
• Antonio Gramsci — Historical peer (Died in 1937) (1937): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• Armin Hary — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): German sprinter, Olympic champion, and pioneer in 100m dash history.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Alfred Lunt — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Esteemed American actor, celebrated for his stage partnership with Lynn Fontanne.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• September 14 (09-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 14