Internships
The Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) has always approached design with a hands-on methodology, blending experimentation with a strong tradition of apprenticeship.
In this spirit, the Renzo Piano Foundation launched an initiative to host university students at the workshop, offering them invaluable professional experience alongside the architects at RPBW. The first partnerships were established with Rice University in 1992, the University of Brasilia in 1999, and Harvard University in 2001.
Over time, the program has flourished. Each year, the workshop welcomes approximately 12 students across two six-month terms. During their internships, students become integral members of project teams, contributing meaningfully to every stage of the design and construction process. This immersive "learning by doing" approach creates a vital bridge between the academic world and the realities of architectural practice. Students are selected through partner universities, with RPBW providing a grant and assistance with housing in either Genoa or Paris.
Through this initiative, RPBW reaffirms its belief in the transformative power of mentorship and its dedication to cultivating the next generation of architects who will shape the future built environment.
Affiliated Universities
Since 2022, RPBW has held the agreements with partner universities, the Renzo Piano Foundation remains a patron of the program both facilitating the experience and providing learning opportunities for the student interns.
Currently affiliated institutions
Previously affiliated institutions
