Firenze: From Pre-Renaissance to Contemporary Architecture
Firenze (Florence), a UNESCO World Heritage site, has shaped history since 59 BC. From Giotto’s artistic revolution to Dante’s literary genius, it set the stage for the Renaissance, fueled by a pioneering banking system. This class explores the dynamic interplay of history, economy, and urban form, tracing Florence’s evolution through its art, architecture, and cultural milestones.
Faculty Bio
Pierluigi Serraino is a practicing architect and educator. He is the author of many books on architecture, including TASCHEN's Modernism Rediscovered. His latest book is The Modern Garden: The Outdoor Architecture of Mid-century America (Rizzoli, 2024).
This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course
- Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time
- Classes will also be video recorded
- You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.
Schedule Highlights
- Course starts on Wednesday, April 30, and ends on Wednesday, May 21
- Classes meet for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (10:30–noon)
- All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy in Member Dashboards through May 31
Member Praise for Pierluigi Serraino
Pierluigi is a wonderful instructor--I always learn something new from him, as well as something to think about. He always opens my eyes.
Course materials, organization, Pierluigi's deep knowledge of the specific area and ability to fit it into larger context of regional traditions and international design trends, and receptivity to participant questions & observations ... all great! Highly recommend!
Faculty Q&A
- Read an interview with Pierluigi Serraino from our archive.