Valentina Grasso is Project Director at Mario Cucinella Architects.

After graduating with honours from the Faculty of Architecture of Reggio Calabria in 2012, she was a teaching assistant for several architectural and urban design firms, and a researcher at the International Institute of Architecture (Lugano, Switzerland), where she co-authored a publication. In 2018, she obtained an Executive Master in Project Management in Milan, Italy.

She worked for several international firms, where she gained experience in strategic and multidisciplinary projects at different scales - from new developments to the regeneration of historical and urban complexes - honing her design, management and relational skills.

She has managed complex projects in various national and international high-profile contexts, from concept to realization.

Cecilia Patrizi works as a Project Director and Architect Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects.

An expert in Architectural Design and Project Management, she graduated in Building Engineering-Architecture from the University of Bologna in 2010. She wrote her thesis abroad at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (Spain), where she carried out the Socrates Erasmus international exchange programme.

Subsequently, she furthered her education by earning a Master's degree from the S.O.S. - School of Sustainability, an advanced program focusing on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Through this program, she gained specialized skills in integrating sustainability principles into architectural and urban projects.

For over five years, she worked as an architect at a studio in Bologna, focusing on Executive Design and Site Management. During this period, she handled a variety of projects, including new constructions, renovations, and urban planning.

In 2015, she joined the MCA team, starting as a Senior Architect and later as a Project Manager. In this role, she coordinated and supervised the firm's major projects, contributing at various stages of the design process, from initial conception to implementation. Her extensive experience has equipped her with advanced skills in managing and executing complex projects.

Cecilia loves to design but also to build wooden furniture.

Michele Roveri is Project Director at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Bologna, he graduated in Architecture from the University of Florence in 2004.

As a student, he received a mention in a major competition for the marina redevelopment in Aci Castello (Catania), focusing on bioclimatic and eco-sustainable materials.

Specializing in multifunctional interventions, particularly in residential, tertiary, and sports sectors, Michele has actively participated in the development of numerous competitions and commissions. He brings experience to both individual projects and large-scale interventions like masterplan developments and implementation plans.

During his career, he has worked for prestigious architectural firms managing projects of diverse scales and typologies, both in the role of designer and as team coordinator. He has gained solid experience in all project phases, from the concept to the drafting of the final and executive phases. Since 2015 he has been working with MCA, overseeing the design of various competitions and orders.

Michele is passionate about photography and has a great love for vintage Vespas.

Diego Baronchelli is a Landscape Architect and works as Project Leader - Senior Landscape Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

With a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Genoa, he brings expertise in landscape design both on territorial and urban scale, from initial concepts to final construction oversight. His focus lies on climate change and the transformation of urban and rural spaces.

As a project leader, he has collaborated with esteemed studios on the landscape design of high-profile national and international projects.

He firmly believes in integrated and multidisciplinary design for high-quality public spaces, and his technical proficiency extends to computer software for landscape design, BIM modelling and technical drawing of executive details.

In 2023, he joined Mario Cucinella Architects as head of the landscape discipline.

Maria Elena Beccaria Balduzzi is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Milan, she graduated in Architecture with excellent marks from the IUAV University in Venice and earned a Master's degree in Architectural Technology at the University of Aalborg, Denmark. During her studies, she undertook an exchange program at the Technische Universität in Dortmund, Germany, and at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Her thesis project in Mongolia, exploring social integration and participatory design principles, was made possible by an honorable mention in Building Trust International's Cool School competition.

She gained experience working for various architectural firms in Italy and abroad, specializing in architectural design and consulting. In 2017, she furthered her knowledge in sustainability by obtaining a Master's degree from SOS - School of Sustainability, before joining the MCA team.

Building on her solid experience, she now coordinates projects as Project Leader.

Tommaso Boschi works as Project Leader and BIM Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Bologna, he graduated in Architecture from the University of Ferrara in 2014 with a thesis on museography and museum restoration of rationalist summer colonies.

He has worked on restoration projects of historical buildings, new residential buildings, hotels and wine cellars. In 10 years of work experience he has managed different project scales, from single flats to entire neighbourhoods, acquiring a solid knowledge of the entire project life cycle, from the initial phase to the technical design. By supervising construction on site, he has honed his skills in interior design, in the selection of the finishes and of technological systems and details, always with a keen eye on ecology and the environment. At the same time, he has always had a great passion for the Building Information Modelling, that led him to become an expert Revit user, managing complex modelling and coordinating project teams.

His greatest passion is travelling, seeing the world and discovering new cultures and lifestyles; his great curiosity brought him to the four corners of the planet: from Bolivia to Tibet, from Cambodia to Syria, from Yemen to Patagonia, from Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan, not forgetting Europe of course.

Teo Brandi is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He is specialised in Architectural and Urban Design, with particular reference to Landscape and Public Space Design.

Born in Pesaro, he earned a single-cycle Master's degree in Architecture in 2017 at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", and studied a year abroad at the University of Architecture in Stuttgart. In 2020, he obtained a Master's degree in landscape design at the I.U.A.V. University of Venice.

After his studies, he worked as an architect with several Italian firms and joined the MCA team in 2018. Here he works on international projects, ranging from the initial concept phase to final and executive design development.

Caterina Corsi is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Equipped with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Roma Tre Univeristy, she honed her skills by pursuing a Master's degree at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), in the Netherlands. Following her academic journey, she obtained her professional title through the BEP program and gained practical experience working for an internationally renowned firm for about 5 years. After eight years abroad, she returned to Italy joining the MCA team in September 2021.

Her interest in architecture focuses particularly in preservation strategies and the integration of new buildings; over time, she transitioned into project leader roles, overseeing design processes, managing teams, and navigating client and administrative relationships to achieve project goals.

A creative and experienced designer, her focus lies on developing large-scale projects across diverse programmatic needs, including residential, office, hospitality, and art-related spaces like museums and exhibition facilities.

María Dolores del Sol Ontalba is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Madrid, she is specialised in Architectural and Urban Design. She graduated in Building Engineering at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) and then earned her Master Degree in Architecture at the University of Roma Tre, with a thesis on the principles of Universal Design.

Launching her career in 2012, she honed her skills collaborating with international architectural studios in Italy and Portugal. In 2015, she earned a prestigious award in temporary architecture, and her design was showcased at the Festival des Architectures Vives in France. Her diverse portfolio encompasses cultural institutions like museums, healthcare facilities like hospitals, and urban regeneration plans. Currently collaborating with Mario Cucinella Architects, she brings innovative solutions to complex projects of varying scale.

Her holistic approach to design intertwines human interaction, design and technical thinking, and she leads projects from concept definition to technical design, ensuring clear communication and feasibility.

Alessandro Gazzoni is an Architect and works as Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Over the years he gained a great experience in sustainable and integrated design.

He has extensive experience in the development and management of architectural projects with complex functional and technological content, both on a large scale and in detail, especially in the residential and hospitality sector.

He graduated in architecture from the IUAV in Venice and after several years of experience abroad he founded his own studio, where for over 10 years he personally directed the projects from the design phase to the executive development, up to the direction of work on complex construction sites.

Always stimulated by curiosity and a lover of challenges, he has been passionate about sailing since he was a child.

Laura La Mendola is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Agrigento, she graduated in 2017 from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Palermo. Her thesis on the redevelopment of the historic centre of Agrigento received a special mention and an important award for the themes of land and heritage valorisation, and sustainability strategies.  

During her studies, she explored sustainable urban development issues and participated in several international workshops, specialising in Sustainable Design and Urban Regeneration. She then worked for a major international firm in Paris and furthered her studies by obtaining a Master's degree from SOS - School of Sustainability.

In 2018, she joined Team MCA, initially as a parametric designer and BIM Specialist, then becoming Project Leader.

Giulia Mariotti is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Pesaro, she is an Architect and Construction Engineer with over 9 years of international experience on diverse projects, from urban planning to residential and furniture design.

Following her studies in Architecture at the University of Bologna, she embarked on a successful international journey, working for over 3 years with renowned teams in Beijing, China. Back in Italy, she continued her career collaborating with prominent architectural studios.

An expert in parametric design, she joined the MCA Team in 2020, after an initial experience in 2013. There, she works on major projects of national and international scale as a designer and expert in three-dimensional modelling, parametric and computational design. In addition, she has experience as a tutor and conference speaker.

Andrea Meneghelli, a civil engineer and architect, works as a Project Leader and BIM Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects. He specializes in integrated design using the BIM methodology.

In 2014, he graduated in Civil Engineering-Architecture from the University of Trento, writing his thesis abroad at the Technische Universität München in Germany. In 2016, he won a research project on Embodied Carbon analysis at a leading international firm in Chicago.

Since 2017, he has collaborated with renowned architecture-engineering firms in Milan, strengthening his skills in the renovation of commercial buildings from concept to executive design, with a particular focus on facade design. He has also promoted multidisciplinary research projects on the interoperability between BIM and LEED and coordinated numerous renovation projects as a Project Leader.

An expert in interdisciplinary integrated design in a BIM environment, he has taught “Parametric Design BIM Oriented through Revit and Dynamo” at the Politecnico di Milano and contributed to scientific publications, winning the AEC Excellence Award in 2020 with the VG9 project.

In 2023, he joined Mario Cucinella Architects as a Project Leader – BIM Coordinator, responsible for project coordination and optimizing workflows and interoperability in complex projects.

Benedetta Mingardi works as Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She is an architect with ten years of experience in the design of public cultural and private residential buildings.

Graduated in Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano and with a Master's degree from the SOS School of Sustainability, she has developed expertise in sustainable design, focusing on the environmental and social impact of projects. Her background includes studies in Anthropology, Religion and Oriental Philosophies at the University of Bologna, which widen her design approach with an interdisciplinary perspective.

After graduating, Benedetta travelled and worked for a year in South America, discovering a passion for indigenous cultures that enriched her design vision and cultural sensitivity. This experience was in line with her Master's thesis, set in Akko, Israel, where she analysed the capacity of public space to promote social inclusion as a form of land protection.

Benedetta firmly believes in the role of public space for people's well-being and the power of art as a vehicle for exploring the present. In addition to her professional practice, she is engaged in ongoing personal research, exploring and curating her territory with an interest in anthropology and participatory design.

Mariachiara Mondini is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Brescia, she studied at the Universidade Federal da Bahia in Brazil and the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, where she obtained a Master's degree in Architecture in 2014.

In 2021, she deepened her knowledge with a post-graduate course held by the TU Delft (Netherlands) on innovative strategies for global and local urban challenges.

Her proven international experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams equips her to effectively manage complex projects throughout all phases, from conception to realization, across diverse architectural typologies – residences, offices, public buildings, and master plans. This experience spans projects of various functions and scales, honing her skills in organizing and managing intricate processes that demand an interactive approach with specialists, clients, and users.

Antonio Nardozzi is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

A native of Trieste, he graduated in Architecture at the University of Naples Federico II. After graduation in 2006, he moved to Barcelona, Spain, where he worked at renowned international firms, contributing to the development of significant urban transformation projects such as the waterfront with the new port, auditorium, and hospitals. In 2009, he moved to Rome where he worked with a prestigious Italian studio as design leader and project manager, contributing to numerous projects and international competitions. He has been part of the MCA Team since 2018.

An expert in integrated architectural design of complex projects, he stands out for his attention to detail and ability to implement a comprehensive design approach on different scales, from micro to macro.

Gregorio Pistolesi is an architect specializing in urban design and complex buildings, he works as a Design Manager at Mario Cucinella Architects.

In his professional responsibilities, he has supervised the development of various project phases, focusing on urban development processes and the analysis of architectural typologies necessary for territorial redevelopment, with particular attention to formal and functional design processes.

He graduated in Architecture and Architectural Design from the Politecnico di Milano in 2019, with a specialization in Architecture and Urban Design. His thesis, titled "Shanghai Cinema Factory: Urban and Architectural Stratifications," represents a theoretical and architectural project aimed at revitalizing the Bund area of Shanghai through the design of a cinema school/factory, which recalls the historic tradition of Chinese auteur cinema.

Until 2022, he collaborated with various architectural firms in Central Europe, specializing in the urban regeneration of industrial and historical areas in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. During this experience, he contributed to the formulation of innovative hypotheses for the transformation of urban and industrial landscapes, in order to harmoniously integrate them with the natural evolution of the city. Gregorio has shown a profound interest in issues related to architectural design in all its phases, paying particular attention to aesthetic coherence, typological variations, and urban morphology.

Luca Tiozzo is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Bologna, he is an engineer specialized in architectural and urban design, with particular reference to the realization of national and international competitions.

He earned a master’s degree in Building Engineering-Architecture in 2018 at the Alma Mater Studiorum in Bologna, after completing an internship at a renowed international architecture firm in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He wrote a thesis project on the redevelopment of the Comacchio Valleys (Ferrara, Italy) using light interventions, both on urban and architectural scale.

He has been collaborating with MCA since 2018, dealing with international projects of different sizes and scale, ranging from the initial concept phase to the detailed and developed design. He is skilled in parametric 3D modeling software, both in defining the initial massing and in developing detailed elements in the following phases.

Fabiola Verde is Project Leader and BIM Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Naples, she graduated in Architecture at the University of Naples Federico II in 2016 with a thesis on Architectural Technology focusing on Architectural Acoustics. After graduation, she honed her skills at prestigious international architecture firms, driven by a desire to combine Design and Technology. She handled large-scale design projects in the final and executive phases and concept design for international competitions.

Passionate about architectural composition, digital transformation and optimizing design and construction procedures, Fabiola's journey spans from Architecture to BIM processes across various sectors and scales, being experienced with the digital tools of the BIM methods and procedures. Her roles have varied from Architect and Project Leader to BIM Coordinator, working on a diverse range of projects at different scales and through all the design stages, from conceptual design to design development and final design.

In 2021 she joined the MCA team, where she has been involved in large-scale residential projects, mixed-use buildings and concept designs.

Francesco Visco is Project Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Latina, he is an architect specialised in Architectural and Urban Design.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Building Technology with Honours from the University of Rome La Sapienza in 2008, and continued his studies with a Master's Degree in Architecture, Urban Planning and Building Sciences at TU Delft, in the Netherlands.

He started his career as an Architect in the Netherlands, where he collaborated with several international firms from 2011 to 2015. He then moved to Bologna where he attended the Post Graduate course at SOS - School of Sustainability, graduating with a research project for the city's first bioclimatic park. Since 2016, he has been part of the MCA team, where he works on several projects at various scales and different complexity.