Authored by Lorenzo Ciccarelli, the first scholar with access to the Renzo Piano Foundation archives, this book explores the world-renowned architect’s formative years, prior to the major achievement of the Centre Pompidou.

Although this striking success has long tended to overshadow his earlier series of radical and innovative experimental structures, it is precisely this formative period which is fundamental to understanding the genesis of his subsequent work and his unceasing interest in industrial design. The engaging stories found in this book are an essential instrument in illuminating and reinterpreting the architect with previously unpublished archival material.

Authored by Lorenzo Ciccarelli, the first scholar with access to the Renzo Piano Foundation archives, this book explores the world-renowned architect’s formative years, prior to the major achievement of the Centre Pompidou.

Although this striking success has long tended to overshadow his earlier series of radical and innovative experimental structures, it is precisely this formative period which is fundamental to understanding the genesis of his subsequent work and his unceasing interest in industrial design. The engaging stories found in this book are an essential instrument in illuminating and reinterpreting the architect with previously unpublished archival material.