Studio
Giovanni Spitali
“Build places, not spaces.”
Approach
I was born in Agrigento and graduated in Architecture in Palermo in 1998, with a thesis on the coast between Porto Empedocle and Siculiana: the sea was my first working landscape and has remained so. After my degree I attended the postgraduate course on the routes of Islamic art in Sicily, an experience that shaped the way I look at places. I have been a registered member of the Agrigento Chamber of Architects since 1999.
A project always begins by listening: to people, to the context and to the history of the place. I favour authentic materials that last, such as stone, timber and ceramics, and light, natural and artificial, calibrated to shape the atmosphere. Handcrafted details tie every work to its territory.
My work runs along two parallel lines: public and collective buildings, from the restoration of the Gate of Europe to Porta di Ponte in Agrigento, and private homes, where interiors and landscape speak to each other through bespoke solutions. I lead every commission personally, from first idea to final sign-off.
Alongside design I act as a technical expert for the courts and support contractors in public tenders. For the most complex works I operate with the engineering firm Rebuilding S.r.l., of which I am managing director.
- 25+years in practice
- 35+public works across Sicily
- 350+court-appointed expert reports
- 2000first appointment as court expert, Court of Agrigento
Timeline
Twenty-five years in twelve steps.
- 1998
Degree in Architecture from the University of Palermo, urban planning track. The thesis studies the coast from Porto Empedocle to Siculiana: the sea as the first landscape of his work.
- 1999
Professional qualification and registration with the Chamber of Architects of the Province of Agrigento.
- 2000
The studio opens in Agrigento. First appointments as court-appointed expert at the Court of Agrigento, and training as construction health and safety coordinator.
- 2001–2002
Postgraduate specialisation on the routes of Islamic art in Sicily; training as environmental impact assessment expert and in solar thermal design. Design and safety coordination for mobile network sites.
- 2003–2006
Schools and healthcare: the Castagnolo and De Cosmi schools in Agrigento, the health centre in Palma di Montechiaro, the student residence in the former Civil Hospital on Via Atenea, the technical institute in Sciacca.
- 2007–2008
Final inspections for the Sicilian Region’s Cultural Heritage Department: the historic centre of Cammarata and the restoration of the Temples of Zeus, Heracles and Hephaestus in the Valley of the Temples.
- 2010–2014
Urban regeneration and public buildings, from Casteldaccia to Comitini, and works carried out by order of the Court, from the Licata coast to the centre of Casteltermini.
- 2017
Villa Due Palme on Lampedusa: an iconic residence given back to the Mediterranean.
- 2018–2019
Planning: the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Lampedusa and Linosa and the maritime domain plan for Montallegro. The Town Hall of Villafranca Sicula.
- 2020–2021
The Agrigento Tennis Club for the national Sport e Periferie programme; Guitgia, Cala Croce and Pozzolana in the Pelagie islands; the restoration of Mimmo Paladino’s Gate of Europe.
- 2022–2024
The Recovery Plan years: the Ragusa emergency department, Pavilion A of the Cervello Hospital, the Naro treatment plant, stormwater works in Barrafranca, watercourses for the Civil Protection, school canteens.
- 2025–2026
Porta di Ponte in Agrigento. Villa F, Villa Z and the Koki’o salon. Be Sicily Mag devotes the feature “Architectures of light and memory” to the studio.
Education and qualifications
- 1998Degree in Architecture, University of Palermo, urban planning track
- 1999Professional qualification; registration with the Chamber of Architects of the Province of Agrigento, no. 881
- 2000Health and safety coordinator for design and construction (Italian Legislative Decree 494/96, now 81/08)
- 2001Environmental Impact Assessment expert, Province of Agrigento
- 2001–2002Postgraduate specialisation diploma “Routes of Islamic art in Sicily”, Faculty of Architecture, Palermo
- 2002Solar thermal systems design, Ambiente Italia, Milan
- since 2000Court-appointed expert, Court of Agrigento
- Managing director of Rebuilding S.r.l., engineering firm
The studio
The studio is based in the centre of Agrigento. A team of architects and technicians works with Giovanni Spitali on design, construction and expert advice; for the most complex works the studio operates with the engineering firm Rebuilding S.r.l.
Press
In its 2026 Design issue, Be Sicily Mag devotes the feature “Architectures of light and memory” to the studio: six pages on Villa Z, the Koki’o salon, the Gate of Europe, Villa F and Villa Due Palme.
Studio profile
A summary of activity, works and qualifications to attach to an application or a request for proposal.