Amalia Agnelli, the architect of Borgo Finocchieto' 2001 renovation, was born in Palermo, brought up in the Italian alps and graduated in 1982 from the architectural faculty of Rome University. While completing her thesis she worked for various studios in Rome on important national and international projects before opening her own office with two associates. Work then took her to Tuscany where she was appointed town-planning officer of her area whilst continuing private practice across a range of building types and projects, above all the restoration of historical properties.  Her passion for and unsurpassed knowledge of historic Tuscan architecture enabled the Borgo to maintain its authenticity despite major reconstruction.