<P> The open space which lies before the basilica was redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to 1667 , under the direction of Pope Alexander VII , as an appropriate forecourt , designed `` so that the greatest number of people could see the Pope give his blessing , either from the middle of the façade of the church or from a window in the Vatican Palace '' ( Norwich 1975 p 175 ) . Bernini had been working on the interior of St. Peter 's for decades ; now he gave order to the space with his renowned colonnades , using the Tuscan form of Doric , the simplest order in the classical vocabulary , not to compete with the palace - like façade by Carlo Maderno , but he employed it on an unprecedented colossal scale to suit the space and evoke a sense of awe . </P>
who is the designer of the piazza in front of st. peter 's basilica
Gian Lorenzo Bernini