He designed London’s The Shard, was an integral part of the team working on the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and in 2006 Time magazine named him one of
ADVERTISEMENTHe designed London’s The Shard, was an integral part of the team working on the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and in 2006 Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world…
Now Renzo Piano has turned his attention back to Turin, in the north-west of Italy.
The Italian architect’s latest feat is a 37-floor skyscraper in a city not known for its tall buildings.
“The building must become part of the daily life of the city,” he said. “The citizens must accept it and use it in their day-to-day lives. For this reason, the last three floors are open to all.”
The tower will mainly be used by Intesa San Paolo bank, although the top floor houses a rooftop greenhouse, a public restaurant and a panoramic terrace.
Piano described the building as “bioclimatic”, meaning it is heated and cooled naturally. Much of its required power will be generated from photovoltaic panels on the southern walls.
Standing at 167 metres, the Intesa Sanpaolo Tower is one metre shorter than the Mole Antonelliana – Turin’s tallest building.