Portrait of Luigi Figini © C. Colombo

The son of Alessandro Figini, an accountant, and Pia Jardini, Luigi Figini grew up with his younger brother, Paolo, playing on the big terrace on the top floor of a Liberty building in Milan that his father had turned into a garden with fruit trees and sports facilities. His classical studies at the Liceo Parini were a great influence on his future work and life. His interest in painting dated to that period; he started to paint during the summer holidays, though painting would always be limited to his private life. >>

Biography born in Milan.   1903   enrolled at the School of Architecture, Politecnico of Milan.   1921   graduated as an architect.   1926   opened an office with Gino Pollini in via Morone 3, Milan.   1929   Figini and Pollini built the Casa Elettrica at the International Fair of Decorative Arts (Monza). Figini published an article for the Natura, on the relationship between rationalist architecture and nature. He met Gege Bottinelli, with whom he shared an interest in photography, which was closely linked to his work.   1930   spent a period abroad (Frankfurt, Paris).   1931-32   married Gege Bottinelli. Began professional relationship with Adriano Olivetti.   1935   wrote the booklet L'elemento verde e l'abitazione, the result of his long research into nature and architecture.   1950   designed the Church of Madonna dei Poveri (Milan), and started to write about religious architecture.   1950   a first monography on the work of Figini and Pollini is published by Eugenio Gentili Tedeschi.   1959   Figini and Pollini built an industrial complex in Caserta, several churches and housing projects.   1960-70   died in Milan. His friendship and professional relationship with Pollini had lasted over fifty years.   1984