Gianfranco Lopo

Gianfranco Lopo serves as a Lecturer at Ababo, teaching Marble and hard stone restoration techniques in the Restoration – Stone materials and derivatives program. He concurrently holds contract teaching positions at Sironi Academy in Sassari (since 2024) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna (from 2025). His professional restoration work spans major Italian heritage sites including Como Cathedral, Milan's Royal Palace, Teatro alla Scala, and Turin's Palazzo Madama.

Lopo specializes in the conservation of stone artifacts and architectural surfaces, integrating geological analysis of lithotypes with degradation mechanisms and modern conservation technologies. His methodology bridges traditional stoneworking techniques (clay modeling, plaster casting, marble carving) with contemporary approaches like 3D laser scanning, CNC reproduction, and reversible artifact reconstruction. Research priorities include material deterioration causation, non-invasive reproduction methods, and historical toolmark analysis in sculpture.

As a practitioner, he has directed material surveys at the University of Pavia's Central Palace and served as Operations Director for Lombardy State Property Agency during Bergamo's 'Casa della Libertà' restoration. His fieldwork encompasses decorated wooden ceilings, rock sculptures (e.g., Luzzana's 'Giant'), and archival structures like Milan's State Archives.