Franco Purini

There are teachers, and then there are mentors who become the very bedrock of your understanding, the compass by which you navigate your creative and intellectual life. For me, that figure is the architect Franco Purini. My journey with him began not in the grand studios of Rome, but in the eager anticipation of his weekly classes at the University of Reggio Calabria, where I first embarked on my architectural studies.

We, his students, were united by a palpable enthusiasm. His lectures weren't mere transfers of information; they were events, original as a finely crafted play. Purini wove unexpected references, profound quotes, and deep reflections into a tapestry that felt truly multimedia – engaging the mind and the senses. He offered that precious "window of light," illuminating the path for students like me, earnestly searching for truth and knowledge within architecture's complex realm.

That illumination became so vital that when Purini announced his move to teach at La Sapienza University in Rome, the decision felt inevitable. I *had* to follow the source of that light. And so I did, relocating to Rome solely to continue attending his lessons. This commitment marked the transition from inspired student to dedicated disciple; he formally became my mentor.

The significance deepened profoundly when he agreed to supervise my thesis. That acceptance wasn't just academic approval; it felt like reaching a crucial milestone, a definitive turning point. Concepts that had once seemed abstract, elusive, or fragmented suddenly promised cohesion and full understanding. The true essence of learning, however, unfolded during countless afternoons spent in his studio. Sitting before this master of life and architecture, I witnessed his mind at work. He would sketch, his hand translating thought into form, while speaking with captivating clarity about how a simple square could anchor an entire composition, or how the subtle shift in the color of a dome could fundamentally alter the narrative of a project.

Those intimate sessions were more than tutorials; they were transmissions. They became a deep wellspring of insight, philosophy, and practical wisdom – a source I know I will draw from for the rest of my life, both professionally and personally.



Franco Purini, born in 1941 in Isola del Liri, Italy, is a visionary architect, essayist, and professor whose work bridges rigorous rationalism with metaphysical imagination. A graduate of the University of Rome under Ludovico Quaroni, Purini emerged in the late 20th century as a leading figure in Italian architectural theory and design. His early collaborations with Maurizio Sacripanti and Vittorio Gregotti shaped his intellectual foundation, while his long-standing partnership with architect Laura Thermes—both personal and professional—has produced a body of work marked by dense linear compositions and symbolic resonance.

Purini’s architecture is known for its intricate grids, classical references, and philosophical depth, often evoking the spirit of Piranesi and the conceptual rigor of postmodernism. He gained international recognition through his participation in the 1980 Venice Biennale’s “Venezia Novissima,” curated by Paolo Portoghesi, which became a manifesto of postmodern architecture.

Beyond practice, Purini has profoundly influenced generations of architects through his teaching at institutions such as IUAV Venice and La Sapienza University in Rome. His writings and drawings—often as poetic as they are analytical—have been featured in major exhibitions and publications worldwide. He is a member of the Accademia di San Luca and the Academy of Arts and Drawings of Florence, and has received numerous accolades, including Italy’s Medaglia d’Oro for cultural merit. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering a deeply intellectual yet emotionally resonant vision of architecture as both a symbolic and societal force.