Mario Botta

Mario Botta is a Swiss architect from Mendrisio. His journey to becoming an architect began after he dropped out of secondary school and worked as an apprentice with architect Tita Carloni. He continued his studies in the Art College in Milan for his baccalaureate, and went on to study at Università Iuav di Venezia for his professional degree in 1969. In 1970 Mario Botta started his own architectural practice in Lugano.

Mario believes in the importance of natural materials and their strength and durability. His first solo project was a single-family home in Switzerland. The structure was made using natural materials such as stone as wood rather than the modern alternatives like steel and glass. Botta’s product designs can be seen echoing the simple, serene geometry that his architectural designs are famous for. He has won multiple awards for his work including International Architecture Award, Merit Award for Excellence in Design, and IAA Annual Prix 2005.

“Light generates space. It gives emphasis and rhythm, it marks the spaces and bestows balance to the structure: neither space nor architecture could be perceived without light.” – Mario Botta