Palladio: The Architect Who Shaped the Modern World

Few architects have left a legacy as enduring and influential as Andrea Palladio. Born in 1508 in the Republic of Venice, Palladio transformed the landscape of Renaissance architecture—and laid the foundations for what we now recognize as neoclassical design. His villas, palaces, and churches combined mathematical harmony, classical inspiration, and humanist ideals, creating a style that radiated both grandeur and restraint. But Palladio’s impact didn’t stop at the Veneto. His ideas crossed oceans, shaping the architecture of British country estates, American government buildings, and even the White House. In this talk, we’ll journey through the life, works, and philosophy of the man behind the “Palladian style,” exploring how a stonemason from Vicenza came to influence the very bones of the modern built environment.