“An architect is a builder who studied Latin.”
This famous definition by Adolf Loos should be updated today, because that kind of architect, just like Latin, no longer exists. Nor does that kind of architecture.
“An architect was a builder who had studied Latin.”

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The Architect’s Drawing 1 – 2

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Introduction

This site reflects my interests and activities, which are not solely professional.

I was born in Florence way back in 1942, and I consider myself lucky for this, because to be born and raised in Florence in those years one was admittedly fortunate.
After receiving a good education thanks to some excellent teachers (not a lot), I graduated in Architecture in 1969 with a friend I owe so much, almost everything, especially since he had me join his father’s studio. So I knew a talented architect and an extraordinary person, who treated me like a son, and it was from there that I was able to start my career. I then worked for 50 years without making memorable things, but also without getting into too many disasters.
Throughout my career I have worked in civil construction, especially houses (as an aunt of mine who would entertain herself by reading tarot cards had predicted!), but also building recovery, restoration, some specialized buildings, valuations. Certainly, there was no lack of difficult moments, but for the most part I always had a clear conscience. I have also served on committees and done some consulting work.
Simultaneously, for more than 40 years I have been teaching classes about project design and historical buildings at the Architecture Department of the University of Florence. Notably for a long time I kept a class on the Distribuive Features of Buildings, in which I taught how to design functional and safe architectures. For some years I also taught subjects related to the recovery of ancient buildings at the Specialized School for Architectural and Environmental Heritage.

In general, my relationship with the Department was one of love and hate. My goodness, these are strong words: let’s say it was a hot and cold one. It was one of warmth because of the enduring friendships I had with some people who truly loved architecture and teaching; it was cold because of those who only looked to their careers or who made so many young people lose the best years of their lives (and their families’ money) by providing them with teaching that was shoddy or useless, or with no teaching at all.
I put my all in with my students and I believe I did my duty, even if with a few flops. One time, for example, one of them asked me to help him in a design for a competition, but it was a topic I didn’t know much about. I was ashamed to admit it, and so when I declined the student took it badly.
Today at last I was about to believe that I had begun to understand something, but the monumental changes now underway have convinced me that that is not the case. Therefore, I am creating this website as a hobby, thinking more than anything about my friends and my students, who have been many and find themselves scattered across the globe. Every time I encounter something of theirs in my files, even if a long time has passed since, everything comes back as if it were the present.
Also in this regard I’ve been fortunate.

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