The Palazzo Gualino office building, designed in collaboration with Giuseppe Pagano between 1928 and 1929, established Gino Levi-Montalcini as a central figure in the Italian rationalist movement. This project garnered international attention, signaling a shift toward architectural functionalism that rejected historical ornamentation in favor of structures defined by their intended use and internal logic.
Early Career and Rationalism
Born in Milan in 1902 to Adamo Levi and Adele Montalcini, the architect later adopted the surname Levi-Montalcini alongside his sisters Anna, Rita, and Paola. After completing his studies at the Liceo Classico Massimo D'Azeglio and graduating from the Royal School of Engineering in Turin in 1925, he immersed himself in the intellectual circles of Turin. His early partnership with Giuseppe Pagano defined his initial approach to design, focusing on projects such as the Hall of the Army, Navy, and Air Force at the International Exhibition of Turin and the Hall of Italy in Liege.
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Following the dissolution of his partnership with Pagano, he relocated to Milan. His work during this period included the Colonia Montana IX May in Bardonecchia, constructed between 1936 and 1938. The imposition of anti-Jewish laws in 1938 significantly altered his life, forcing him to aid his sister in establishing a clandestine laboratory for her research. During the Second World War, he fled to Florence, living under a false identity from 1943 to 1945. In 1943, he married Maria Gattone, with whom he later had two children, Emanuele and Piera.
Postwar Reconstruction and Teaching
Returning to Turin in 1946, he engaged with postwar reconstruction efforts as a member of the Giuseppe Pagano Group and APAO. His later projects included extensive social housing initiatives such as the Le Vallette district in Turin and the development of the new Faculty of Humanities building for the University of Turin. Throughout these years, he maintained a dual focus on architecture and interior design, creating furniture for public buildings and shops. His academic career spanned several institutions, including the Polytechnic of Turin, the University of Palermo, and the University of Padua, before his death in Turin in 1974.
Fast facts
- Born: 1902, Milan
- Died: 29 November 1974, Turin
- Education: Polytechnic University of Turin
- Key Movement: Rationalism
- Spouse: Maria Gattone
- Notable Project: Palazzo Gualino
- Academic Posts: Turin, Palermo, Padua
- Professional Member: National Academy of St. Luke
Questions readers ask
What was his primary contribution to architecture?
He was a leading architect of the Italian rationalist movement, known for office buildings, social housing, and public exhibition designs.
Did he design anything other than buildings?
Yes, he was also a designer of furniture, having created 67 pieces for the Palazzo Gualino and decor for public buildings and shops.
Achievements
- Trained at Liceo Classico Massimo D'Azeglio and Polytechnic University of Turin
