Firenze: From Pre-Renaissance to Contemporary Architecture
The historic center of Florence is a UNESCO Heritage site. Founded in 59 BC, its ascent in the world scene is connected to the painting revolution that Giotto headed and the literary achievements that Dante Alighieri created in the late Medieval period. From that time, Florence offered unique conditions for the rebirth of the classical heritage largely founded on a nascent economy of a then modern banking systems. This class will cover the triangulation between its history, economy, and urban form from its origins to today, touching on the milestones in architecture and the arts.
Faculty Bio
Pierluigi Serraino is a practicing architect and educator. He is the author of many books on architecture, including TASCHEN's Modernism Rediscovered. His latest book is The Modern Garden: The Outdoor Architecture of Mid-century America (Rizzoli, 2024).
This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course
- Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time
- Classes will also be video recorded
- You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.
Schedule Highlights
- Course starts on Wednesday, April 30, and ends on Wednesday, May 21
- Classes meet for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (10:30–noon)
- All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy in Member Dashboards through May 31
Member Praise for Pierluigi Serraino
Pierluigi is a wonderful instructor--I always learn something new from him, as well as something to think about. He always opens my eyes.
Course materials, organization, Pierluigi's deep knowledge of the specific area and ability to fit it into larger context of regional traditions and international design trends, and receptivity to participant questions & observations ... all great! Highly recommend!
Faculty Q&A
- Read an interview with Pierluigi Serraino from our archive.