Figure and function

The basic character of Guido Canella’s work is the search for an “architecture of knowledge”, which, starting from the need for new expressive values, more adherent to the transformations of Italian reality, tends to be defined as a “conscious vocation to the city”.

History, context, type, destination, and formality of architecture are the constituent elements of his design.

Architecture, Canella argues, cannot be camouflaged with respect to the context, but must extract the typological, functional, and formal constants capable of expressing a will to transform in addition to representation.

If this conviction acts with almost programmatic evidence in the works created in the years 1960-1980, even in later, more lyrical executions, it remains a constant of its poetic, in the will to promote more evolved public and collective behaviour.

Through the design of the main typologies for associated life functions (from the school building to the museum, from the working-class neighborhood to the church, from the civic center to the theater), the original vision and reinvention of a personal figurative language becomes, for Canella, an expression of civil commitment not only in design research but also in the definition of the principles of an architectural school.

  1. Civic Centre of Segrate (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli, Daniele Brigidini, Laura Lazzari; G. Cozzaglio, B. Giovanardi (structures), 1963-66
  2. Incis village square with elementary school, kindergarten, shopping centre, parish centre, and multipurpose building in Pieve Emanuele (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli, Daniele Brigidini, 1968-81
  3. Civic centre with town hall, middle school and sports field in Pieve Emanuele (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli, Daniele Brigidini; G. Fiorese (collaborator); G. Binelli (structurs), B. Piccoli (mosaic floors) 1971-90
  4. Kindergarten with nursery school "Emilio Alessandrini" in Zerbo di Opera (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli, Daniele Brigidini; V. Di Tocco (structures),  1972-75
  5. IACP residential district in Bollate (MI), Guido Canella with A. Maresca; L. Ferrari (structures), 1974-81
  6. Middle school with municipal social facilities in Monaca di Cesano Boscone (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; E. Mezzetti (collaborator); F. De Miranda, (structures), 1975-82
  7. Restructuring of the Palazzo di Giustizia, Ancona, Guido Canella with F. Clemente, A. Sandroni; M. Ferrari (collaborator); A. Castiglioni, G. Grandori, (structures),  1975-89
  8. Town Hall in the Civic centre with residences and tertiary activities in Seggiano di Pioltello (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; A. Ferré (collaborator); E. Cegnar (structures), B. Piccoli (mosaic floor), 1976 - 81
  9. Service centre at the Monte d'Ago district 2 in Passo di Varano (AN), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; E. Mezzetti (collaborator); F. and M. De Miranda, (structures),  1984 - not completed
  10. "San Riccardo Pampuri" parish complex in the service center at the IACP district between Bettola and Zeloforamagno, Peschiera Borromeo (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; E. Mezzetti (collaborator), I. Okpanum; F. De Miranda, (structures), 1985-92
  11.  GB Bodoni Technical Institute in the Ducal Garden in Parma, Guido Canella with P. Bonaretti; I. Okpanum (collaborator); F. De Miranda, (structures),  1985-2001
  12. Airport, Pescara, Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; R. Canella, E. Mezzetti, D. Strambena (collaboratos), 1992-97
  13. Diplomatic residence in Rome, Guido Canella, Michele Achilli and Gentucca Canella, MSC Associati, (structures), Ebner Europe (installations), 2000-04
  14. Expansion of the municipal office of Gorgonzola (MI), Guido Canella, Michele Achilli; D. Strambena (collaborator); Msc Associati (structures); Ets Engineering (installations), 2000-09
Text by Gentucca Canella