h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Renzo Piano - Architect - A1047791
Author: pointbeing - U225923

My second ever entry so be nice! - an overview of the life and work of architect, genius and all-round top bloke Renzo Piano.

Piano's reputation is enormous around the world, and his name will be permanently on British lips if the London Bridge Tower is given the go-ahead...it's hard to do justice in a matter of paragraphs but I hope I've had a fair crack at it

feedback appreciated as always!

It's good.

I'd like to see a little more detail about the buildings that have made his reputation, maybe a couple of links to an external site or something (a quick Google revealed the official Pompidou Centre website to be http://www.cnac-gp.fr/, but I don't know if there's anything there).

Could be worth including the correct Italian pronounciation of his name, which is Rent-zo Pee-ar-no (I have an Italian girlfriend, so you sort of pick these things up!), as most people will think of him in their heads as sounding like the musical instrument.

Cheers,
Number Six

I'm a little worried about it getting over-lengthy, but I think you're right and it would be justified to add a touch more detail concerning the buildings themselves...but so many to choose from

Well, it took me a couple of days, but I've expanded the section about some of the buildings/projects, which I think does add value to the piece, so thanks for the suggestion . I've also added a couple more linkys and tied up one or two loose ends...let me know what you think!

Like it Any thoughts on the pronounciation thing, maybe just in a footnote?

The only couple of suggestions I have are that in the bit where you're talking about the London Bridge Tower, I'd suggest shifting the 'however', to go from "Renzo Piano is no ordinary architect however, and the London Bridge Tower would be no ordinary office block."
to
"Renzo Piano, however, is no ordinary architect, and the London Bridge Tower would be no ordinary office block."
but that's just my as an idea that might improve the flow a little, but don't feel bound to take it as gospel.

I would challenge Piano's statement (if I'm right in concluding you're quoting him indirectly here) that the Tower would provide "a focus for the regeneration of Southwark, one of central London's shabbiest neighbourhoods" though - I'd say that Tate Modern has already proved to be the focus for the regeneration of Southwark - along with the rejuvenated Borough Market, Vinopolis, the Globe Theatre and the new GLA Building - and the whole Bankside area seems quite up-and-coming and trendy now (my mates who used to live there were priced out of the rental market, and had to move...). Some parts of Southwark are certainly a bit shabby still, but I'd say on the whole that parts of the West End feel a lot worse to be in (Blimey, I never thought I'd find myself standing up for South London!). I can sort of see where Renzo's coming from on this one, but I think the Tower would be something more like a new focus for the continued regeneration of Southwark, which until the end of the 20th Century was one central London's shabbiest neighbourhoods.
(I worked there between 1998 and 2000, and the area was 'orrible when I started, and it was just getting nice and interesting when I concluded I couldn't stick the job any more, and left)

Finally, I like your conclusion a lot, but think that the last paragraph veers a little too close to personal opinion for the Edited Guide (although I do agree with what yo're saying!). How about making it a little more general, perhaps changing from "Renzo Piano is unquestionably one of the very finest and most highly regarded architects in the world..." to something like "Renzo Piano is unquestionably regarded as one of the very finest architects in the world..."?

Great stuff though I reckon we're nearly there!

Cheers,
Number Six

seems like i have my own personal stalker

So, more valuable food-for-thought than I could have hoped for!

I was ignoring the pronunciation thing, hoping it would go away...hoping no-one would notice I've been pronouncing it wrong for months...but now a footnote seems the honourable thing to do

as for the whole southwark thing - I think i'll dig out the original quote and use that - I think it makes more sense to hear about Sig. Piano's aspirations rather than risking getting into personal opinions about the whole area...also once we get talking about Tate Modern i start to feel claustrophobic...like im stood in a queue in a dark, dank enclosed space...

*fires up EditPlus and gets back to work*

Great stuff. A fine, illuminating entry.

I'm with Number Six on changing the tone of the last paragraph, though.

I wondered, while reading, about 'balance'. The entry is all for the positive aspects of Piano's work - but I imagine it must also have its critics. The Pompidou center, for example, is hardly free from controversy.

Whether the other side of the coin really bears illuminating here, though, is something I'm not sure about. The entry already works brilliantly at introducing Piano to someone (i.e. me) who had previously never heard of him. There is plenty of room between the lines here for readers to draw their own conclusions. The structure and the length seem just about right too. So, I personally reckon it stands up as a fine entry just as it is - barring that one little line at the end which No. 6 has already mentioned.

you wonderful lovely people you

I hope I've incorporated these points now, seeing as they were all good points

You're right to say there's a - to say the least - approving tone concerning his work there (which happens to be consistent with my own opinions), but you'll struggle to come across any real criticisms of his work anywhere, I don't think it would be fruitful to try to be the first, though I have added the point that Pompidou was/still is controversial. And some other bits and bobs.

cheers to all, once again
pb

Looking good. I never knew it was him that had done Bari's ground - that's the one that looks like a UFO!

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