Born in Genoa, Italy, in 1937. After a number of large, eye-catching projects like the Centre Pompidou in Paris, San Nicaola Stadium in Bari and Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Renzo Piano has become one of the most important architects of the 20th century. He is responsible for the main layout of the Potsdamer Platz and eight of its buildings in Berlin. Over the years, he has received a range of prestigious prizes and awards: the Compasso d'Oro, the Pritzker Prize, the Erasmus and Kyoto awards.