Spotlight on Renzo Piano's Genoa Hometown as RA Launches New Exhibition

As London's prestigious Royal Academy gears up for the launch of the Renzo Piano Exhibition the spotlight will be shone on Genoa, the city of his heritage, the location of many of his creations and the home of his studio.

Internationally famous and renowned for London's The Shard and Paris's Pompidou Centre Piano has also developed much of his home region with the re-construction of the Porto Antico (Old Port) the heartbeat of the city starting in 1985 and featuring the famous Il Bigo crane with its panoramic lift, the Acquario di Genova – Europe's largest aquarium that opened in 1992 - and the Biosphere – a seafront glass bubble featuring over 150 species of tropical plants and trees!

In addition to his public work Renzo has a building workshop located on the Via Pietro Paolo Rubens. Visits are free of charge and can be booked online through the website and offer a one-hour tour in Italian giving an overview of Renzo's vision, an introduction to many of his key works and the chance for visitors to view his plans, architectural drawings and models.

http://www.fondazionerenzopiano.org/en/

The Royal Academy Exhibition begins on 15th September and finishes on 20th January 2019.

This exhibition follows Piano's career, from the influence of his Genoese heritage and his rise alongside friend and collaborator Richard Rogers, to current projects still in the making. Focusing on 16 key buildings the exhibition will focus on Piano's unique approach and style building his creations 'piece by piece'.

The exhibition will also include his rarely seen drawings, models and photography. At the heart of the exhibition will be a sculptural instillation showing nearly 100 of Piano's projects.

Price - £14 (£12 without a consensual donation) children coming with a fee-paying adult go free.

For more information on visiting Genoa, please visit www.visitgenoa.it.

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