Renowned Swiss architect and urban designer Aurelio Galfetti, founder of the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture, has passed away aged 85.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Born in 1936, Galfetti was one of the most prominent “Ticino School” of architects in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland.
His most famous works took place in the city of Bellinzona where he designed the public baths, the post office building and restored the ancient Castelgrande fortification.
But Galfetti was also active abroad, most notably in Italy, the Netherlands and Greece.
In 1996, Galfetti established the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture at the Università della Svizzera Italiana, where he taught for many years.
In particular, he headed the acclaimed AlpTransit diploma course that examined the changes to the landscape of the NEAT alpine rail route.
“His work and his thinking had the most significant influence on the architectural culture in the Canton of Ticino and Switzerland from the ’60s until today,” wrote the Università della Svizzera Italiana in a testamentExternal link.
“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.”
Speaking to the Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt magazine in 1993, Galfetti said his restoration – or rather “transformation” – of historical buildings was to show them “in a different light that makes them more clearly readable and brings them closer to the lifestyle of our time.”
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Ticino architect Luigi Snozzi dies
This content was published on
Luigi Snozzi, considered the leader of the so-called new Ticino school of architecture, has died aged 88 in Minusio, southern Switzerland.
Ticino architecture reconciles the traditional with modern
This content was published on
The Ticino tourist board has published an informative guide (in English) to modern architecture in a canton known for producing world-class designers. A tour can last a day or a week, and includes visits to ornate and minimalist structures in Ticino’s busy cities and towns, and in its remote alpine valleys. One of the most…
This content was published on
Swiss culture minister Pascal Couchepin, who announced his forthcoming resignation last week, joined a large group of dignitaries on Saturday for the historical occasion. Couchepin was among 400 invited guests, including European Union Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, and the Director General of Unesco, Koichiro Matsuura. Couchepin told swissinfo.ch that he was glad one of…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.