Working toward the synthesis of art and construction science, art historian Nikolaus Pevsner described Nervi as “the most brilliant artist in reinforced concrete of our time.” Constructed around the globe, Nervi?s buildings belong to a spectacular period of structural and architectural innovation and symbolize the achievements of Italian engineering in the aftermath of World War II.
Pier Luigi Nervi, Municipal Stadium, Florence, The structure of one of the Orbetello Hangars under construction
Photo credit: Photographer unknown, ca.1939, courtesy Pier Luigi Nervi Project, Brussels
Nervi designed and built iconic structures such as the Small Sport Palace (1958) for the Olympic Games in Rome, the Labour Palace in Turin (1960), and the Pirelli Tower in Milan (1960) with the architect Gio Ponti. Another of Nervi?s major projects, one that directly connects the engineer to Montreal, is the Place Victoria Tower (1964), designed in collaboration with the architect Luigi Moretti. Pier Luigi Nervi, Saint Mary Cathedral, Saint Francisco, Detail of the ceiling, 1964
Photo credit: Photo by Mario Carrieri, courtesy Pier Luigi Nervi Project, Brussels
The UQAM Centre de Design presents Nervi’s work through the exhibition Pier Luigi Nervi: Master Designer / Builder. The first part of the exhibition is an adapted version of the traveling exhibition Pier Luigi Nervi ? Architecture as Challenge, curated by Cristiana Chiorino, and presented for the first time in Brussels in 20...