On the occasion of the Science Festival, the Renzo Piano Project of the Politecnico di Milano presents the conference:

  A Visionary Experience

  Architecture at the service of Technology

  A conversation with Francesco Bruschi, Ottavio Di Blasi, Lia Piano

On the occasion of the Science Festival, the Renzo Piano Project at the Politecnico di Milano presents A Visionary Experience: Architecture at the Service of Technology, a conversation with Francesco Bruschi (Politecnico di Milano), Ottavio Di Blasi (architetto ODB and partners), and Lia Piano (Renzo Piano Project - Genova);exploring the relationship between architecture, innovation, and technological communication.

Forty years ago, IBM launched an ambitious travelling exhibition designed to introduce the public to the emerging world of computing. Between 1984 and 1986, the exhibition toured twenty European cities, becoming a pioneering experiment in science and technology outreach.

At the heart of the project was an unprecedented architectural challenge: the creation of a pavilion that could be repeatedly assembled and dismantled in different locations while accommodating not only complex environmental systems but also some of the most advanced computing technologies of the time. Equally important was the need for a strong and recognisable identity capable of embodying the innovative vision of a forward-looking company.

The pavilion was designed by Renzo Piano, whose archives are now preserved by the Politecnico di Milano. Drawing on this remarkable case study, the conference will examine the relationship between architecture and technology from a perspective that remains highly relevant today. Rather than focusing on the technological challenges faced by architecture, the discussion will explore how architecture itself can serve as a tool for technological research, communication, and public engagement.

Through the insights of leading experts and direct witnesses to this experience, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of design in making innovation visible, accessible, and meaningful to society.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 

h. 18:00

Galata Museo del Mare, Auditorium
Calata de Mari, 1

GENOVA

reservation required HERE!