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From Renzo Piano to Aldo Rossi and Gae Aulenti, Italy has no shortage of architects known for their stunning works. Piano designed the hub for art and culture Centre Pompidou in Paris, Rossi created the floating Teatro del Mondo in Venice, and Aulenti transformed the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Each of them mixed innovation with tradition, making a lasting impact on modern architecture.
So, how did these leading figures in architecture hone their craft? They all studied at the Politecnico di Milano, a public university that shapes the minds of tomorrow’s architects, designers, and engineers. Here, students are instilled with the skills and vision necessary to make their mark on the world. To aid in their development, many celebrated architects like Sandra Barclay, Jean Pierre Crousse, Norman Foster and Marcio Kogan visit the university, leading lectures and sharing their expertise.
Yet, the allure of studying at Politecnico di Milano and in Italy extends far beyond academics. It’s about being immersed in a country full of historical landmarks and architectural beauty. Italy’s cities have inspired architects for centuries, and Milan, in particular, continues to attract aspiring architects from all over the world. Among them is John Cullen Sayegh, a current student from the US. Six years ago, he was part of a study abroad programme in Rome at the end of which he didn’t want to leave.
“Anyone who has seen an Italian city — be it Florence, Rome, or Venice — knows how beautifully captivating they are,” he says. “While Italian cities are aesthetically pleasing, dense, and walkable, what struck me the most was how the locals interacted with their cities and buildings.”
After graduation, MSc in Urban Planning and Policy Design student Sayegh hopes to stay in Italy for at least another year, as he believes there is still much to learn from the country. Source: Politecnico di Milano
It was these urban and communal activities that motivated him to return and immerse himself more in Italy. And where better to learn about the nation’s architecture than at Politecnico di Milano? The institution ranked as Italy’s top university in the QS World University Rankings 2024 attracts many engineering, architecture, and design students to its halls. With 45 postgraduate programmes and impressive rankings — seventh for Architecture, seventh for Design and 23rd for Engineering worldwide — it’s a great place to study.
“I came to Politecnico because it is one of the best universities in Europe and because it offered a Fulbright grant to study here,” Sayegh says. “I had never been to Milan before stepping off the plane two years ago, but I knew that it hosted a vibrant design culture, which is so evident in the city’s art and architecture, as well as its fashion scene.”
At the heart of Politecnico di Milano is its School of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Construction Engineering. The school brings together the humanities, arts, and sciences to prepare students to imagine, design, and build the cities of tomorrow. In collaboration with various departments, including Civil Engineering, and Mathematics, the school creates an interdisciplinary environment where innovative ideas flourish.
The two-year MSc programmes offered by the school of Architecture provide students with a solid mix of engineering knowledge and practical experience. Spencer Scott Derthick, a recent graduate of the school, found it incredibly valuable. “I now have a much better technical knowledge of how buildings are assembled and understand the type of work I’d be asked to do daily at most architecture firms,” he says.
Derthick learned that celebrating local culture and history in architectural design is crucial for creating buildings that resonate with the community. Source: Politecnico di Milano
The programme also helped Derthick develop crucial soft skills, such as collaboration and teamwork. While most projects are completed individually at university, Politecnico makes group work the norm. “Working with a team provided a great experience balancing different ideas and working together to respond to the project goals,” he says. “While sometimes challenging to work in groups of up to 10 people, this is often the reality of collaboration in the real world.”
Public speaking and presentation skills are key aspects of the programme. Many exams are oral rather than written, which pushed Derthick out of his comfort zone. Now, he feels far more confident presenting his work to an audience, a skill that will serve him well throughout his career.
Another defining feature of a Politecnico di Milano education is the university’s emphasis on sustainability. This core philosophy is woven into the curriculum, research, and campus life. The university actively works towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and has a strong focus on environmental and social sustainability. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, Politecnico was ranked 19th out of 1,018 universities worldwide for its contributions to industry, innovation, and infrastructure.
Not diminishing the opportunities of future persons to enjoy similar levels of wealth, utility, or welfare of his generation was a persistent feature in Derthick’s programme. “My thesis focused on sustainable building construction and urban design, proposing strategies to reduce environmental impact while promoting socially sustainable environments,” he says.
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