Admitted to the Roman Academy of Arcadia in 1717, Salvi became an architect only after studies in mathematics and philosophy. His mentor in architecture was Antonio Canevari, who served also as consulting architect for the king of Portugal.
In 1717, Salvi joined the Roman Academy of Arcadia; he specialized in architecture following studies in mathematics and philosophy. Antonio Canevari guided his architectural work, serving concurrently as a consulting architect to the Portuguese king.