Forma Edizioni presents a new architecture series on contemporary architectural identities—a publishing project aimed at highlighting the richness and diversity of contemporary Italian architecture. The series offers concise monographs on some of the most compelling Italian professionals, through a collection of bilingual volumes that showcase exemplary and thoughtful design work. Each book features essays, project sheets, and critical apparatuses, providing a concise yet structured overview of both research and professional practice.
“Architectural Identities – Contemporary Italian Architecture”reflects the intention to closely follow the evolution of Italian architecture, characterized by its deep-rooted connection to tradition and, at the same time, by its capacity to engage with a range of contemporary scenarios. This is fostered in part through international exchanges and dialogue, which generate renewed and relevant lines of inquiry.
In this sense, the sections on Italian architecture offer distinct perspectives—often partial—rooted in specific professional experiences, whether tied to a particular period of activity or focused on a specific theme. They are, in a way, progressive sections: technical representations used in road design, applied where a significant variation in linear development occurs.
Among the leading architectural firms in Milan and across Italy, Piuarch has built a reputation for designing spaces that are both contextually grounded and environmentally conscious. Their approach to architecture is defined by a deep sensitivity to place—whether urban or rural—and a commitment to sustainability that informs both form and function. Rather than imposing abstract gestures, their projects evolve from an attentive reading of context, materials, and user needs, resulting in works that are elegant, efficient, and socially engaged. This volume brings together a curated selection of Piuarch’s most significant projects, illustrating the studio’s diverse output and coherent design philosophy. From the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage in the Gucci Headquarters—a landmark example of sustainable corporate architecture—to the refined spatial narratives of the Dolce & Gabbana boutiques, where materiality and atmosphere are elevated to an art form, each project reflects the firm’s ability to balance identity, innovation, and craft. Also featured is the new Snam Headquarters, a striking composition of staggered glass volumes and integrated greenery, setting a new standard for energy-conscious office design in Milan’s evolving Symbiosis district.
Through a variety of typologies—commercial spaces, corporate campuses, cultural venues, and public installations—Piuarch demonstrates a clear and consistent vision: architecture as a tool for improving the urban environment, enriching human experience, and stewarding the resources of the planet.
