Botta Mario (Mendrisio)

He was born in Mendrisio, Italy, on April 1, 1943. After an apprenticeship in Lugano, he attended the art high school in Milan and continued his studies at the University Institute of Venice, where he graduated in 1969 with lecturers Carlo Scarpa and Giuseppe Mazzariol. During his time in Venice, he had the opportunity to meet and work for Le Corbusier and Louis I. Kahn. In 1970 he opened his own studio in Lugano and, since then, has also been engaged in an intense teaching activity in parallel with lectures, seminars and courses at architecture schools in Europe, Asia, the United States and Latin America. Starting with the first realizations of single-family houses in Canton Ticino, his work has embraced many building types: schools, banks, administrative buildings, libraries, museums, and houses of worship. Since the beginning of his career, his work has been internationally recognized and awarded, as well as featured in numerous exhibitions and publications. In 1996, he was among the founders of the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, where he still teaches and has served as director. His commitment as an architect and professor combined with his role as president of the jury of the BSI Architectural Award and his current commitment to the realization of the Architecture Theater allows him to pass on knowledge of a profession that is, first and foremost, his passion.

Since 2011, the MARIO BOTTA ARCHITETTI firm has moved to Mendrisio, where he continues actively working on projects on a national and international scale, also participating in prestigious competitions.