Farewell to the Master Architect Aurelio Galfetti

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Institutional Communication Service

6 December 2021

Architect Aurelio Galfetti, one of the fathers of the 'Ticino School of Architecture' and the USI Academy of Architecture, died at 85.

Architect, urban designer, Professor Emeritus, Aurelio Galfetti, with his work and his thinking, has had the most significant influence on the architectural culture in the Canton of Ticino and Switzerland from the '60s until today.

In 1996 Aurelio Galfetti, together with Mario Botta, founded the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, of which he was director from 1996 to 2001. From 2005 to 2007, he directed the 'Master for Advanced Studies in Architecture and Urban Planning' and then in 2008 the important Diploma on AlpTransit. Until 2018 he served as Chairman of the Diploma Committee. 

His critical contribution to the debate on the complex relationship between architecture, territory and landscape and his consequent architecture has been a founding example for all those who wanted to train at the Academy in the last 25 years.

On two recent occasions, students, assistants and professors of the Academy of Architecture have had the opportunity to express the intense and deep affection that has always linked them to the personality of Aurelio Galfetti ('Lio' for those closest to him). His role had been crucial in the training of hundreds of young people who have subsequently left the Academy to spread what they have learned all over the world.

On Saturday, 11 October, the Academy's Alumni Association welcomed Aurelio Galfetti with a long standing ovation.

On Thursday, 2 December, at the end of the beautiful evening organised to present the recently published volume "Aurelio Galfetti. Constructing Space", colleagues and friends Mario Botta and Esteban Bonell, Walter Angonese, Franz Graf, the Rector of USI Boas Erez, and many others joined in long applause for 'Lio'.

The entire university community of USI, particularly the Administration of the Academy of Architecture, the Council of Professors of the Academy, students and alumni, stand by the family of Aurelio Galfetti in memory of dear 'Lio'.

 

Aurelio Galfetti: The house of Paros and knowledge transfer