Architect Jacopo Gardella dies at 85, leaves legacy in Milan and beyond

Architect Jacopo Gardella died on February 25, 2021 at age 85. The news was released three days later after a private funeral at Basilica di San Nazaro in Brolo, Milan. Born in Milan on April 27, 1935, he graduated in architecture from Politecnico di Milano in 1960. He collaborated with his father Ignazio on numerous projects, including the Lambrate railway station, Bocconi University expansion, Milan Civil Court, and Esselunga supermarkets. He restored the PAC – Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea in Milan (1997), originally built by his father (1951-1953). The PAC dedicated an exhibition to the Gardellas in 2019. Beyond Milan, he worked on the Borsalino area recovery plan in Alessandria, reconstruction of Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa (1981-90), and competition for Teatro La Fenice in Venice (1997). He restored Teatro Rossini in Pesaro (1997-2000) and participated in the international competition for the Prado Museum expansion (1995). He taught at architecture faculties in Pescara, Milan, Turin, Venice, and Camerino, and led the Interior Architecture Lab at Milan's Faculty of Architecture from 2002 to 2009. The PAC and GAM – Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Milano paid tribute.