Gianluca Peluffo calls for architects to protest in squares over Ferrara competition scandal

Architect Gianluca Peluffo, in a passionate op-ed on Artribune, urges Italian architects to take to the streets to protest the cancellation of the Palazzo dei Diamanti competition in Ferrara, which he calls a 'surreal' and 'criminal' act against the profession. Peluffo argues that the affair, triggered by Vittorio Sgarbi's intervention, reveals the deep elitism and lack of democracy in Italy's architectural system. He contrasts the situation with France, where a 1977 law mandates two-phase public competitions for all public works, fostering quality and diffusion. Peluffo criticizes the Italian elite, including Renzo Piano, for not supporting competition laws, and calls for a lobby of cities to push for legislative reforms. He highlights his own generation's struggles, citing the 5+1AA's victory in the Venice Palazzo del Cinema competition (2004-05) as a rare success that was later undermined. Peluffo also notes the CNAPPC's efforts to promote an Architecture Law, but laments the lack of support from prominent figures. He concludes by calling for protests at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and for architects to sit with mayors to shape the future of cities.