Rachid Hicheri is Senior Architect/Technical Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Architect, he founded an international studio in 2001, following projects of commercial and residential complexes in Italy, Egypt, Tunisia, Kazakhstan and Greece.

During his career, he collaborated with several leading firms involved on international projects and competitions; he has a wide-ranging portfolio of projects from urban to architectural scale, including the development of Masterplans, hospitals, hospitality and educational facilities, residential and mixed-use complexes.

In 2014 he joined the MCA Team initially as Senior Architect/Project Manager of projects in North Africa and Arab countries and later as Design Manager and Technical Leader of complexes in Italy.

He has extensive experience in Project Management, Construction Management and integrated architectural design of complex projects, and is fluent in French, Italian, Arabic and English. His design approach and attention to detail enable him to effectively manage projects of a wide variety of scales, from micro to macro.

Simone Papucci works as Technical Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Florence, Italy, he graduated with honors from the Faculty of Architecture of Florence with the project “A conference center for the Estense Lordship of Voghiera (FE)”.

He honed his skills at a renowned Italian studio, gaining experience both within the studio's specific field and on a larger scale through the development of major projects and collaborations with national players; several significant projects were completed during this time.

He has been collaborating with MCA since 2019 in Bologna, Italy, with an international team of more than one hundred professionals including architects, engineers, designers, model makers, visual artists, the firm has been recognized with numerous national and international awards for its dedication to environmental issues and attention to detail.

Since 2023 he has been part of MCA's Technical Unit as Technical Leader.

Ulrich Seum works as a Technical Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

A native German speaker, he studied architecture at the AUS University in Frankfurt. While pursuing his studies, he also gained valuable experience working with a renowned German design studio.

In 1991 he relocated to Italy and embarked on a long-standing collaboration with a design studio in Bologna, which lasted until 2004. Here, in addition to architectural projects, he specialised in the field of restoration, both in the private and public sectors, where he acquired management, technical and economic skills for complex projects, with an aptitude for coordination, planning and scheduling as well as control of commissions.

Since 2018, he has joined the MCA team as a project leader, overseeing projects from concept to technical development. He has also led the design and construction of numerous school and residential building projects.

Thanks to his attention to detail and almost 30 years of experience on construction sites, he is part of MCA’s Technical Unit, with focus on the execution and detailing phase of commissions.

Lori Zillante works as R&D Unit Manager at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She graduated in Building Engineering-Architecture from the Università Politecnica delle Marche, after several experiences abroad at the Universitat politècnica de València and PolyU in Hong Kong, where she worked on her thesis project. In 2018, she joined SOS - School of Sustainability, where she worked on 3D clay printing with the Tecla project.

She carries out research projects on the environmental and social impacts of construction in various contexts, with a focus on the materials life cycle and construction technologies. Expert of 3D printing technology, she has experience in management and development of vulnerable and emergency contexts, promoting participatory processes and focusing on rammed earth construction techniques.

Since 2019, together with the R&D department, Lori supports the office in international projects and competitions of various scales, providing a holistic view of sustainability through environmental research and consultancy.

Lapo Naldoni works as Senior R&D Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Construction Engineering and Architecture from the University of Bologna with a thesis on rammed earth constructions that was presented and published in a major international congress held in Boston in 2018.

He has experience in 3D printing research and development and has worked with this technology at different scales. His research has mainly focused on the use of rammed-earth mortar in 3D printing and topological optimisation for additive manufacturing. He is an assistant professor of Architectural Design at the Alma Mater Studiorum in Bologna since 2017.

Within MCA's R&D unit, Lapo deals with experimental and innovative projects related to the use of new technologies in architecture with a focus on natural materials. The aim of his research is to strengthen the connections between design and construction using robotic technologies.

Since 2023, together with the R&D department, Lapo has worked on international projects and competitions at various scales.

Monica Palladino works as Senior R&D Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

An architect and environmental expert, she is a member of the Research and Development Unit (R&D). She graduated in 2019 in Architecture at the University of Naples Federico II with a thesis on environmental design for climate change, through a focus on environmental strategies for users' comfort. In the same year she attends SOS - School of Sustainability, investigating the field of sustainable and integrated design, ranging from environmental, social and participatory process to circular economy.

In 2020 she started to collaborate with MCA, first on an urban regeneration project, then joining the R&D Unit. Monica is mainly involved in analysing the environmental and social impact of architecture by implementing parametric design, in developing environmental simulations and in research projects related to the climate sphere and user comfort.

Valentina Torrente works as Creative Content Strategist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Oristano, she graduated in Building Engineering and Architecture at the University of Pavia, and in 2015 she attended the postgraduate program at SOS - School of Sustainability. Later on, she joined the MCA Research & Development Unit, where she focused on Urban Regeneration.

Among her activities, she conducted research on climate change adaptation and developed a winning proposal for the Venice Biennale, thus joining the MCA curatorial team.

After this experience, Valentina has been involved in publications, events and exhibitions, promoting research activities on issues of social sustainability in architecture (such as the Guidelines for Schools for the Emilia Romagna Region). She focuses on spreading the culture of the firm through conferences, installations, and international exhibition projects. From 2017 to 2022, she also collaborated on teaching activities at SOS - School of Sustainability.

Passionate about sports, she practiced flatwater kayaking for fifteen years at a competitive level, earning several national and international recognitions.

Fabrizio is an architect deeply focused on the BIM (Building Information Modelling) methodology application.

After graduating honors from the University of Naples Federico II, Fabrizio moved to Brussels to work as a designer for a leading construction company. His return to Italy in 2012 was marked by winning a scholarship for a specialized Master's program in "Urban and Territorial Diagnostics," where he furthered his studies on the vulnerability of urban systems and seismic risk assessment. The following year, Fabrizio contributed significantly to the design and construction of Palazzo Italia and the Regional Pavilions of the Cardo for Milan Expo 2015. From 2015 to 2016, he was involved in various redevelopment and renovation projects across Tuscany.

Fabrizio has been part of Mario Cucinella Architects since 2016, working as a Senior Architect and BIM Manager. The SeiMilano garden district, the Unipol Group Headquarters in Milan, and the Fo.Ro Living in Rome are just some of the major works he has been involved in.

Fabrizio was certified as a BIM Manager by ICMQ in 2020, adhering to the UNI 11337 standard, distinguishing him as a leader in the integration of BIM technologies in architectural practice.

Luca Marcotullio works as BIM Leader at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in architecture in 2014 from La Sapienza University of Rome with the project "Multilevel Urban Fabric: Experimental Project of Urban Permeability."

Following his initial experiences on large-scale projects, he pursued intensive training in Building Information Modeling.

Since then, he has collaborated with various architectural design firms, working on both final design and executive development of large hospital projects, residential complexes, office buildings, and sports facilities. He also managed the implementation of BIM quality standards for complex solutions.

As a BIM expert he has broad experience in developing and managing architectural projects of considerable complexity and size, especially in the hospital and residential scopes.

Architect specialized in interiors and furniture, Elena Cerizza works as Interior & Product + Material Unit Manager at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She graduated in architecture from Politecnico di Milano in 1998; soon after graduation she starts her office, focusing her research and design activities on interior and furniture design.

She has always cultivated a strong connection with visual arts, the Italian design tradition, craftmanship and innovation, strongly rooting her profession in the pragmatism typical of the Milanese context. She engages in projects of various scales, aiming to merge space, objects, light and materiality into a unique and specific balanced composition.

Consolidating her reputation in the field of architecture and furniture design over the years, her work appears in many design publications. In 2021 she participates in the Venice Biennale.

Since 2023 she has been collaborating with Mario Cucinella Architects in Milan.

Lucrezia Rendace is Senior Material Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

In 1999, she won a scholarship at the Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de Tucuman (Argentina) to study at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, University of Italian Switzerland, where she graduated in 2005.

From 2006 to 2016, she worked with a renowned international studio as head of material and technology research. She also collaborated on numerous national and international projects as an architect, interior designer, and modelmaker. She has experience as an art director on internationally relevant projects and as a project manager for various renovation projects and private residences in Italy and abroad.

Since 2016, she has held the position of Head of Research and Material Archiving at Mario Cucinella Architects, managing relations with companies and suppliers. She also applies her proven experience as an architect and interior designer in various competitions and major projects.

Antonella Di Luca is Senior Product Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He studied Industrial Design at the IED in Rome. From 2005 to 2011 he collaborated with a renowned studio in Bologna as Head of Design Department dealing with Research and Product Development for many Italian companies.

In 2012 he founded his company designing and marketing a line of sheet metal accessories for the home. In 2014, one of the pieces in the collection was chosen by a US multinational company that manages hotel facilities.
In 2014 he began his freelance activity developing various product design projects, interiors and exhibition stands.

In 2018 she joined MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects, collaborating on many projects as an expert in product design.

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Edoardo Caizzi works as Interior Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Architecture - Built Environment - Interior Design at the Politecnico di Milano at the end of 2020.

During his studies, he carried out two full-time internships within international architecture studios in Beijing and Paris; during these experiences, he participated closely in both large- and small-scale projects. In 2021 he worked for a studio in Milan, participating in the design and supervision of small- and medium-scaled projects, both for renovations and new buildings.

In 2022, he worked for a studio in Paris, where he was mainly involved in competitions, independently drafting competition proposals both in the French and international scene, on urban and building scales. Occasionally he also works on smaller scaled projects and commercial interiors. He has been a member of the MCA Team since 2022.

Bianca Gabrielli works as a Product Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She studied Industrial Product Design at the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, completing her curricular internship within the Product Design Unit at MCA.

She completed her graduation in 2019 with a thesis project in collaboration with the Ordine degli Architetti di Bologna, focusing on creating a product that blends architectural and culinary tourism to showcase the rich heritage of modern architecture archives, designed to be adaptable to any city.

In 2020, she started her collaboration with MCA as a Product Designer. Since then, she has been involved in diverse projects encompassing furniture design, lighting installations, and exhibitions. She oversees projects from concept to completion, prioritizing sustainability through ongoing exploration of innovative, eco-friendly materials and processes.

Michela Galli is an Interior Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She obtained her bachelor's degree at the European Institute of Design, attending the Interior Design course in English. His education was enriched by significant experience in the United States to finish his last years of high school. These years abroad allowed her to develop a mastery of the English language at a native level, accentuating her communication skills in an international context.

In 2017 he began his professional career working for a well-known architectural firm in Milan as a Junior Interior Designer. During this time, he had the opportunity to work on complex projects, contributing to the creation of functional spaces, gaining a solid knowledge of building practices.

Since May 2019, he has been part of the Mario Cucinella Architects team where he has contributed significantly to numerous projects, dealing with different phases of development and construction. Her experience ranges from the initial stages of design to the supervision of installations, allowing her to bring added value through her attention to detail and creativity.

Ginevra Venturini works as an Interior Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the IUAV University in Venice, and she attended the Erasmus program at the Ecole National Superieure d’Architecture in Montpellier. She then completed her education in 2016 at the Politecnico di Milano, obtaining a master’s degree in architecture and interior design.

Between 2017 and 2019 she collaborated with the architect Elena Cerizza, and she participated in the design and construction supervision of small- to medium-scale projects, with a focus on the furniture element, designed and realised together with craftsmen and artisans.

She then worked for a renown studio in Milan, independently leading the design of private residences in a dynamic and international environment and deepening aspects related to art direction. In 2021 she began collaborating with an interior design studio in Milan, in which she oversaw competitions for hotel facilities, the design of a boutique hotel in Tuscany, and several residential renovations.

Since early 2023 she has been collaborating with MCA within the Interior Design Unit.

Alessia Monacelli works as Visual Artist Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She is specialised in 3D modelling, architecture CGI and Team Management. In 2013 she graduated in Design at the LABA (Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze), focusing on Eco-Design, Interior, Industrial and Communication Design.

During her studies, she got passionate about the world of 3D visualisation and computer graphics and deepened her expertise attending several specialisation courses in this field.

In 2016, she completed a Master's Degree in Design of Systems at the ISIA in Rome. She travelled to Japan for an international project at the University of Chiba and collaborated with several international companies.

Since 2016 she has been collaborating with Mario Cucinella Architects, where she started the Visual Unit.

Gianlorenzo Petrini is an architect and works as a Visual Artist Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Gubbio, he earned a Master’s Degree in Building Engineering-Architecture from the University of Perugia in 2018.

After graduating, he focused his research in the field of architectural visualization and obtained the Master "MADI" from the IUAV in Venice, where he deepened his skills in 3d modeling, rendering and animation.

Following his master’s degree, he moved to Rotterdam where he was selected as an intern/assistant visualizer in a renown Dutch architecture firm, taking part in international competitions and projects of various types and scales. In 2020, he participated in the Architizer international 'one rendering challenge' competition and was recognised as a finalist among the 10 best images of the competition with the project 'House in the water'.

Since 2021 he has been collaborating with MCA as Visual Artist Specialist, working on projects in various stages, from concept to executive.

An architect and model maker, he graduated in architecture in 2005 from IUAV in Venice, after spending a year at the École Nationale Supérieure d'architecture et de paysage de Lille in France.

His experience begins in a model-making workshop in 1999, where he works until 2010. From 2001 to 2005 he collaborates with an international studio in Venice, creating models for buildings and design products.

Since 2011 he works for Mario Cucinella Architects in Bologna, as Modeling Unit Manager, overseeing the creation of the models of the studio such as headquarters, hospitals, schools, museums, and large-scale urban regeneration projects. In addition to this, he has been a lecturer for the Modeling course at the Product Design Department of the Bologna Academy since 2022.

Among his most important projects: the San Raffaele Hospital, the Unipol Group Headquarters, the Valle d’Aosta University Campus, the masterplans of MIND – the Milan Innovation District, Milano Santa Giulia, and SeiMilano.

Antonino Cucinella works as Modeling Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Palermo, he attended the artistic High School, and in 2018 he graduated in Architecture at the University of Palermo with a thesis on design and restoration named "Belice Anno Zero, Conservation and fruition of the ruins of Poggioreale".

Following his university studies, driven by a passion for sustainability, technology, and research, he began his professional journey at MCA studio. Starting as an intern, he honed his skills by working on projects and installations. Since 2018, he has transitioned into a full-time architect role within the studio team. In 2021 he joined the Modelling Unit as a Modeling Specialist, where he is responsible for the design of architectural models of the studio's most relevant projects.

His lifelong passion for art and architecture, ignited by his education and professional experiences, has led him to cultivate the art forms of painting, sculpture, and drawing.

Eugenio Armando De Nicola works as a Modeling Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Nocera Inferiore (Salerno, Italy), he earned a Master's degree in Architecture in 2012, with a final project on the restoration of an old town in the Cilento national park.

In March 2015, he earned a II Level Master named “Sustainable Construction Processes” from the IUAV University in Venice. In 2014 he attended an internship at Mario Cucinella Architects in Bologna, while between 2015 and 2016 he led research activities for the University of Naples Federico II on the recovery of rural landscapes and architectures in the Campania region and on the design of NZEB prototypes in Mediterranean climates. Subsequently, he took part as a freelance architect in the EUROPAN14 international competition, designing a masterplan for an industrial area in Amiens, France. In 2018 he bought his first 3D printer, empowering his passion for model making and prototyping.

Since 2020 he has been working as Model Maker and specialist in additive manufacturing technologies and 3D modeling at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Martina Biffi is a Senior Architect and Technical Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She holds a Master in Architecture cum laude from Politecnico di Milano and a Master’s Degree in Cultural Studies with distintion from the Goldsmiths University of London.

She had worked in the UK for over ten years on large-scale residential and commercial projects for high-profile firms, gaining significant management skills for all phases of design and development. She focused on the technical aspects of the design, such as technical coordination and supervision.

She is highly experienced in project management for major retail brands, team coordination, planning and development from the early concept to the tender phase. Her experience ranges from the renovation of existing buildings to the construction of new residential and commercial buildings.

Davide Raffaelli is Senior Architect and Technical Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Architecture from the Politecnico di Torino in 2012, and during his studies he specialised in the design of energy-efficient buildings with a focus on wooden constructions. In 2015 he became a Casaclima Energy Consultant, and from 2014 to 2020 he worked on projects with internationally renowned architects, while also taking on freelance projects in the tertiary and residential sectors (both new builds and restorations).

Since September 2020, he has been part of the MCA team where he is responsible for the executive design and artistic direction of projects for schools.