Agorà Lio Galfetti inaugurated: a new heart for the Academy of Architecture

On Thursday, 19 February 2026, the USI Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio officially inaugurated the Agorà Lio Galfetti. Located in the foyer of Palazzo Canavée, this new space honours the memory of one of the Academy's founders.

The Agorà was envisioned as a place for gathering, dialogue and community, blending historical memory with contemporary design. Enriched by a large mobile grandstand, the Agorà Galfetti now represents the heart of the Academy of Architecture: a versatile venue for conviviality and discussion, intended to host conferences, debates, public events and cultural initiatives.

Architect Gonçalo Byrne, a long-time friend and colleague of Galfetti, spoke at the ceremony. He shared personal and professional reflections, highlighting Lio Galfetti's profound influence on architectural culture and his pivotal role in the Academy's establishment.

One of the evening's most poignant moments occurred when Galfetti's widow, Lorenza, hand-wrote the dedication "Agorà Lio Galfetti" directly onto the grandstand. This simple, evocative gesture transformed the architectural structure into a living tribute of continuity.

The evening was further enriched by a performance from the Tiziana Arnaboldi Dance Company, whose choreography activated the space and celebrated the spirit of the Agorà through movement.

Attended by distinguished guests and the broader academic community, the evening concluded with a reception, marking the debut of a space set to become a cornerstone of the Academy's cultural and institutional life.