Ivano Gianola Libros

Ivano Gianola is one of the founding members of the so-called Ticino School. Like the other significant figures of this legendary school he is primarily concerned with urban-development and architectonic quality of building in the Canton of Ticino. The extensive œuvre that has sprung from this concern has produced a plethora of intuitively designed, distinctive buildings. After more than ten years of planning and building, Gianola's most extensive project and at the same time the largest project of the Canton of Ticino to date is now open to the public. The new Cultural and Art Centre of Lugano is located directly on the shore of Lake Lugano. The spacious and spatially differentiated new building is an architectonic hybrid that combines a museum for contemporary art, a convention centre, various restaurants and cafés as well as a theatre under one roofscape

Ivano Gianola is a key figure in the Ticino School, which emerged in the early 1970s as a collective of architects advocating for radical, symbolic alternatives to the environmental degradation caused by new construction in Ticino. Gianola's work stands out for its seamless integration into the surrounding context and meticulous craftsmanship, transforming each project into a cohesive work of art. His creations are celebrated for their beauty and adherence to the Arts-and-Crafts tradition, showcasing a blend of craft precision and high aesthetic values. This excellence led to international commissions in the 1990s, including significant projects like the conversions and new buildings for Bayerische Vereinsbank in Munich, contributing to the Fünf Höfe site’s revitalization. Gianola's most notable achievement is winning an international competition to redesign the area around the former Palace luxury hotel in Lugano, which will feature a theater, modern art museum, housing, offices, a municipal park, and an expanded lakeside promenade—marking the largest project ever awarded by the Canton of Ticino. This publication presents a comprehensive overview of Gianola's work, highlighting his status as a leading figure in contemporary architecture. Katia Accossato and Nicola Probst, both architects and educators, along with Frank R. Werner, an architectural historian, contribute to this monograph.