Giovannacci Sandra (Verdasio)

Sandra Giovannacci

arc. USES / OTIA / REG A

Originally from the Centovalli, I was born in Locarno in 1962. An early education and several years of work in health care led me to live for a decade in German-speaking Switzerland. In 1997 I resumed my studies, changing branches completely and, enrolling at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio (University of Italian Switzerland), I returned south of the Alps.

My passion for the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage that is part of our history led me to graduate from the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio in 2003 with a project to restore and transform the Stockalper tower in Gondo (a 17th-century tower partially destroyed by a landslide in 2000) under the guidance of architects Bernhard Furrer and Valentin Bearth.

I have been a member of OTIA since 2005 and REG A since 2009. Since 2011 I have been living and working in my home country.

During my formative years I collaborated with architect Michele Bardelli, with whom I developed and completed early works. In 2004 I opened my own studio and at the same time started a collaboration, which lasted until 2012, with architect Urs Plank.

Sensitive to environmental values of a generous nature, I pay attention to the materials and resources used in construction and seek harmony in the architectural gesture while respecting the person, the object and the environment that hosts us.

The rehabilitation and redevelopment of existing buildings allows me to bring attention and respect to those who built in the past and, using natural materials, recognize their value.