Giovanni Greppi (architect)

Graduating from the Brera Academy in 1907, he took part in the competition for the facade of the Milan Central Station, finishing in second place.^[2] He also won a scholarship that allowed him to travel and study abroad, and from 1908 to 1910 he attended the École des beaux-arts in Paris and also visited Istanbul.^[1]

He also devoted himself to propaganda and advertising campaigns. During the First World War, for example, he produced a manifesto to support the raising of funds for the national loan. In 1924 he participated with numerous other artists in the famous catalog it:Veni vd vici for the entrepreneur it:Giuseppe Verzocchi.

Giovanni Greppi built a factory town on behalf of Dalmine between 1934-40^[3] and, together with Giovanni Muzio, the Palazzo della Cassa di Risparmio delle Provincie Lombarde in Milan: known as "Palazzo delle Colonne" due to the long portico on the facade, the building is considered by architectural historians as one of the most interesting bank buildings built in Milan between the wars. It is characterized by innovative engineering and technological solutions: its most notable element is five-floor underground vault. During the Second World War, it was considered the safest air-raid shelter in Milan: starting from June 1940, some of the most precious works of art from Milan's museums were stored here. Greppi also designed the building of the Banca Popolare di Milano.^[2]

He died in 1960 due to injuries from a road accident that had occurred in the spring of the previous year. He was buried in the cemetery of Craveggia.^[1] On November 2, 2020 his name was entered in the Famedio of Milan.^[4]