Francesco Santoro
Graduated from the Palermo University of Architecture in Italy with apprenticeship in Organic Architecture at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Taliesin, USA and master in Landscape Architecture at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The following international collaborations were established with the offices of Enric Miralles in Barcelona, with Adriaan Geuze and West 8 landscape architects in Rotterdam, with Marcos Acayaba in São Paulo, with SWA Group and GLS landscape architecture in San Francisco and with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Among the most important projects in which he has been involved were the completion of the Igualada Cemetery Chapel in Spain, the landscape project for the University of California Berkeley Residence Halls in the USA, the Olympic Park competition and the Marina da Gloria sailing venue for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games, and the RAI Italian television broadcasting studios in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In the past years he has pursued academic activity as professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at UFF, Fluminense Federal University in Niteroi and professor of Architecture and Interior Design in the Postgraduate program at IED, Istituto Europeo di Design in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in addition to acting as a correspondent to the international architectural magazines: “l'Architettura. Cronache e Storia”, “Bioarchitettura”, “Compasses” and “AU Arquitetura & Urbanismo”.
Presently he is professor of History of Architecture and Design at MADE Program Design Academy in Syracuse and professor of Design Drawing at Abadir Design Academy in Catania, Italy.
selected projects
2023. Residential project. Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2022. Studio remodeling. Mondello, Italy
2022. Aromatic labyrinth - Sensorial gardens in the schools (with Noemi Vruna and Cristiana Geraci). Palermo, Italy
2020. La Casa Encendida - burning down the house - installation (with Luca Bullaro). Palazzo Oneto di Sperlinga, Palermo, Italy
2018. Gold Circle installation. San Vito, Italy
2018. Art Prison hotel in Santa Caterina fortress (with Laís Domingos and Natália Bedim). Favignana, Italy
2017. Primo Maggio square. Udine, Italy
2016. Marina da Gloria Rio 2016 olympic and paralympic games sailing venue overlay. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2015. Marina da Gloria Aquece Rio 2015 test event sailing venue overlay. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2014. Marina da Gloria Aquece Rio 2014 test event sailing venue overlay. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2014. RAI Italian television FIFA World Cup 2014 broadcasting studios. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2013. Brazilian Antarctic Station (with Josep Mias). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012. Prainha & Grumari sensorial park (with Amana Vilhena). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012. Summer cabanon. San Vito, Italy
2011. Rio 2016 Olympic Park (with AECOM). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. First prize
2011. Residential project. Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2011. Residential project. Lorena, Brazil
2010. Residential project. Palermo, Italy
2010. Commercial port signage and fencing (with Gianfranco Pavia and Andrea Blandino). Pantelleria, Italy
2009. Ports and marinas facilities (with Gabriella Giuntoli and Andrea Blandino). Pantelleria, Italy
2009. Sustainable house prototype. Palermo, Italy
2007. Mondello waterfront (with Sofie de Meester). Palermo, Italy
2007. Fashion store. Palermo, Italy
2006. Garden design. Mondello, Italy
2006. Emile Bockstael sustainable school (with Sofie de Meester). Bruxelles, Belgium
2006. Guardiano pier (with Sofie de Meester). Marina di Ravenna, Italy. Twelfth prize
2005. Roads infrastructure and services. Pantelleria, Italy. Fourth prize
2005. Botanical squares. Catania, Italy
2004. Palermo waterfront (with Sofie de Meester). Palermo, Italy. Fourth prize
2002. University of California Berkeley residence halls and bike sheds (with Gary Strang). San Francisco, USA
2001. University of Pacific landscape project (with SWA group). Stockton, USA
1999. Mountain bikes paths and services along railway. Alto Belice Corleonese, Italy
1999. Tourist paths and services along mountain parks. Alto Belice Corleonese, Italy
1998. Architecture and photography studio (with Stefano Savona). Palermo, Italy
1998. Nahuel Huapi national park hotel. Villa La Angostura, Argentina
1998. Fapesp administration offices (with Marcos Acayaba). São Paulo, Brazil. Fourth prize
1997. University of São Paulo chemistry department. São Paulo, Brazil
1997. Residential project. San Vito, Italy
1996. The environs of Barcelona football stadium (with Antonio Salvato and Giovanni Raimondo). Barcelona, Spain
1996. Residential development (with West 8). Assen, the Netherlands
1995. Paseo Icaria exhibition (with Enric Miralles and Josep Mias). Rome, Italy
1994. Cemetery chapel (with Enric Miralles). Igualada, Spain
1993. Residential project. Erice, Italy
publications I prizes I interviews
2024. Apprentice at Taliesin. 1st Prize for an editorial project. Anghelos-INARCH-UNIPA-APPCPA, Una Marina di Libri, Palermo
2022. Apprentice at Taliesin. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Historic Studies, interview by Indira Berndtson
2021. Apprentice at Taliesin. il Giornale dell'Architettura, book review by Michele Roda and Arianna Panarella
2021. Apprentice at Taliesin. Architects meet in Selinunte, book presentation with Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
2021. Apprentice at Taliesin. Libreria Feltrinelli Palermo, book presentation with Luca Raimondo
2021. Apprentice at Taliesin. Fondazione Architetti Firenze, book presentation with Franco La Cecla
2020. Taliesin. Architectural Digest 109. AD China, interview by Ruben Modigliani
2020. Taliesin. Architectural Digest 462. AD Italia, interview by Ruben Modigliani
2015. Francesco Santoro architect, Rio de Janeiro. RAI TV, interview by Eugenio de Paoli
2014. An Italian architect for Rio 2016. l'Indro, interview by Patty Torchia
2014. Residential projects in Sicily and Brazil 2010-2012. Annuario Rassegna Architettura. Ordine degli Architetti di Palermo
2011. Residential projects in Sicily 1990-2010. Annuario Rassegna Architettura. Ordine degli Architetti di Palermo
2010. Mondello waterfront. Designing Mondello
2008. Fashion store. Rizoma Young Italian Architects Biennial
2007. Projects 1997-2007. Contemporary Architecture in Sicily. Maurizio Oddo
2006. Emile Bockstael sustainable school. Contemporary architecture in Sicily and the Netherlands
2006. Sicily Architecture. Emile Bockstael sustainable school. Selected project. EXPA Sicilian Young Architects under 40
2006. Port infrastructures for Palermo and Ravenna. Living as tourists, architectures
1999. A new studio for our city. Oggi Sicilia, interview by Paola Nicita
exhibitions
2022. Apprentice at Taliesin. Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Taliesin Fellowship 90 Years Reunion. Phoenix, Arizona, USA
2018. Art Prison hotel in Santa Caterina fortress. Baglio Florio, Selinunte, Italy
2018. Brazilian projects 2013-2017. Ordine degli Architetti. Palermo, Cefalù, Italy
2018. Primo Maggio square. Galleria del Progetto. Palazzo Morpurgo. Udine, Italy
2013. Brazilian Antarctic Station. IAB, Instituto dos Arquitetos Brasileiros. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2013. Residential projects 2010-2012. Ordine degli Architetti. Palermo, Italy
2011. Rio 2016 Olympic park. IAB, Instituto dos Arquitetos Brasileiros. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2010. Residential projects 1990-2010. Ordine degli Architetti. Palermo, Italy
2008. Fashion Store. Rizoma Young Italian Architects Biennial. Pontedera, Italy
2007. Mondello waterfront. San Mattia church. Palermo, Italy
2006. Emile Bockstael sustainable school. Travelling exhibition: Palermo, Catania, Acitrezza, Firenze, Chicago
2006. Guardiano pier in Marina di Ravenna. Urban Center UniAdrion. Ravenna, Italy
2004. Palermo waterfront. Loggiato San Bartolomeo. Palermo, Italy
1999. Tourist paths and services along mountain parks. A.P.T. San Giuseppe Jato, Italy
1996. Environs of Barcelona football stadium. Reial Drassanes. Barcelona, Spain
1996. Villa Trabia historic park. Municipality. Palermo, Italy
1994. Zephyr mixed use sustainable building. Ordine degli Architetti. Palermo, Italy
lectures
2021.12.10. Aprendiz en Taliesin, las enseñanzas de Frank Lloyd Wright. UNAL, Colombia National University, Medellin, Colombia
2021.11.11. MIAS, the making of making (architecture). DISSENY HUB BARCELONA, Spain
2021.11.10. Aprendiz en Taliesin. ETSAM, Madrid Polytechnic University, Spain
2021.07.08. A realidade dos centros urbanos menores na Itália meridional contemporânea. 27º Congress UIA 2021 RIO, Brazil
2021.12.07. Apprentice at Taliesin. MADE Program. Accademia di Belle Arti Rosario Gagliardi. Siracusa, Italy
2019.04.04 Paisagens sensoriais. EAU UFF, Fluminense Federal University. Niterói, Brazil
2019.01.04. Tracing places - Traçando lugares. IED, Istituto Europeo di Design. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2019.20.03. Olhando através: em busca de uma arquitetura sensorial.UFSC, Santa Catarina Federal University, Florianópolis,Brazil
2018.06.23. Art Prison hotel in Santa Caterina fortress. Architects meet in Selinunte, Baglio Florio, Selinunte, Italy
2018.06.07. Art Prison hotel in Santa Caterina fortress. Palazzo Florio, Favignana, Italy
2018.05.16. I progetti per i Giochi Olimpici di Rio de Janeiro 2016. Palermo Lab. University of Architecture. Palermo, Italy
2018.03.13. Dalle Arts & Crafts al Bauhaus. MADE Program. Accademia di Belle Arti Rosario Gagliardi. Siracusa, Italy
2018.03.09 EMBT Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue office and architecture tour. IED, Istituto Europeo di Design.Barcelona, Spain
2017.04.13 Francesco Santoro Architecture, projetos. IED, Istituto Europeo di Design. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2017.02.17 A Arquitetura Paisagística de Enric Miralles. EAU UFF, Fluminense Federal University. Niterói, Brazil
2017.01.19 EMBT Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue office and architecture tour. IED, Istituto Europeo di Design.Barcelona, Spain
2016.09.09 In between, coisas vistas à direita e à esquerda (sem óculos nem iPhone). FAU USP, University of São Paulo, Brazil
2016.10.28 Arquitetura Paisagística Contemporânea. Semana de Arquitetura. EAUD, Estácio de Sá University. Niterói, Brazil
2015.09.19 Francesco Santoro Architecture, projetos. Semana de Arquitetura. EAUD, Estácio de Sá University. Niterói, Brazil
2015.11.19 Escuelas de Arte de Cuba. IED, Istituto Europeo di Design. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012.05.18 Francesco Santoro Architecture, projetos. UFRJ PROURB. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012.11.16 Rio 2016 Olympic Park competition. The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL Unit 16 workshop. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2011.11.08 O concurso do parque olimpico Rio 2016. EAU UFF, Fluminense Federal University. Niterói, Brazil
2007.04.26 Architetto Francesco Santoro, progetti. University of Architecture. Siracusa, Italy
2007.05.29 Architettura bioclimatica: principi di sostenibilità. University of Architecture. Agrigento, Italy
1994. Principi di architettura organica. L'esperienza di apprendistato a Taliesin. University of Architecture. Palermo, Italy
1990.03.15 Sicilian landscape and architecture. Taliesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Scottsdale, USA
teaching
2024. Professor of history of art and design at SVIFT Shandong Vocational Institute of Fashion Technology, Tai'an, China
2022. Tutor at Sensorial gardens in the schools Summer Workshop, University of Architecture, Palermo, Italy
2022. Visiting lecturer at Northeastern University, Boston, MADE Program Design Academy Summer Course, Palermo, Italy
2021-2024 Professor of history of architecture and design at Syracuse Academy, Siracusa, Italy
2019-2024 Professor of design drawing at Abadir Design Academy, Catania, Italy
2018-2024 Professor of history of design and arts & crafts at MADE Program Design Academy, Siracusa, Italy
2016-2017 Professor of landscape architecture and urban design at EAU UFF, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
2014-2017 Professor of architecture at MA.DE.IN at Postgraduate program, IED, Istituto Europeo di Design, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2019. Visiting lecturer at UFSC, Santa Catarina Federal University, Florianópolis, Brazil
2018. Visiting lecturer at University of Architecture, Palermo, Italy
2017. Invited professor at IED, Istituto Europeo di Design, Barcelona, Spain
2015-2016 Invited professor at PUC, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2013. Invited professor at ETSAB, Polytechnic University of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
2012-2013 Invited professor at UFRJ, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012. Assistant at workshop Valparaíso-Ciudad Abierta, EAD PUCV, Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile
2012. Visiting lecturer at The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL Unit 16 workshop, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2011-2016 Visiting lecturer at EAUD, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2007. Visiting lecturer at University of Architecture, Siracusa, Italy
2007. Visiting lecturer at University of Architecture, Agrigento, Italy
1994. Visiting lecturer at University of Architecture, Palermo, Italy
1990. Visiting lecturer at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Scottsdale, USA
writings
2021. Apprentice at Taliesin. A personal experience in the Frank Lloyd Wright school of architecture. LetteraVentidue, Italy
2021. A realidade dos centros urbanos menores na Itália meridional contemporânea. UIA2021RIO, ACSA Press, Vol.2, Brazil
2020. A abordagem orgânica de Mareines e Patalano. Academia.edu
2016. Mauá square refurbishment project in Rio. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 262, Brazil
2015. Mareines+Patalano MOPI sustainable school in Rio. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 255, Brazil
2013. Bernardes+ Jacobsen soft sea Wave: MAR museum of art of Rio. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 229, Brazil
2013. Josep Mias Plug-in building Barcelona. Context. The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, Great Britain
2013. In between, coisas vistas à direita e à esquerda (sem óculos nem iPhone). Master degree thesis. UFRJ, Federal
University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012. Archea tech cabin pavilion at Rio+20 sustainable development conference. AU arquitetura e urbanismo 221, Brazil
2011. Richard Rogers in Rio de Janeiro. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 205, Brazil
2011. A radical act of framing: the architecture of Office, Kersten Geers & David Van Severen. Compasses 013, Dubai
2010. XII Internacional Bienal of Architecture in Venice. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 199, Brazil
2010. Minimal Baroque, Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI Museum of XXI Century Arts. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 196, Brazil
2010. The concrete poetry of the Brazilian architect Decio Tozzi. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 193, Brazil
2009. Building Climate Landscape: the arab-norman gardens in Palermo. BIOARCHITETTURA 56, Italy
2008. Venice Bienal 2008: architecture beyond building. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 176, Brazil
2008. 47. Design Furniture in Milan/ Satellite Exhibition/ Green Energy Design. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 171, Brazil
2008. America’s Cup 2007, Veles y Vents building/ Sails Patchwork. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 170, Brazil
2000. Carlo Scarpa in Palermo. AU Arquitetura e Urbanismo 88, Brazil
1998. The structural curiosity of the Brazilian architect Marcos Acayaba. l'Architettura. Cronache e Storia 517/518, Italy
1993. Frank Lloyd Wright: a critical historical study on organic architecture and the continuity of the Taliesin school
nowadays. Degree thesis. University of Architecture. Palermo, Italy