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.

Laura Santagati works as a Senior Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She graduated with honours in Architecture in 2009 from the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, with a thesis in Architectural and Urban Design entitled ‘Urban Renovation of the Port Area of Catania’. During her studies she participated in numerous international workshops including, in 2002, the ‘Special Seminar - Arcosanti and Cosanti’ in the Arcosanti Workshop Program of the Cosanti Foundation (Mayer Arizona U.S.A.), acquiring a strong skills in listening and discussing within complex and multicultural contexts.

She has been a licensed architect for 13 years, and she has collaborated with various architectural firms gaining experience especially in the residential, cultural and healthcare sectors. As a freelancer, for over 10 years she personally directed the architectural design and the construction management, developing well-rounded project management skills across all phases, coupled with a deep understanding of client and partner relations, production processes, and the materials, finishes, and details that define contemporary design.

Her projects received several prizes in various competitions, including in 2021 the first prize ex aequo for the ‘Redevelopment project of the San Marco railway station into a cultural center and socio-educational aggregation hub’, Paternò (Catania) in the Paysage international competition |Topscape city_brand & tourism landscape award cat. A2: landscape redevelopment of fringe territories and, in 2013, the first prize for the professional category for the ‘Proximity commercial format project for a new specialized sales concept’ in the competition announced by Ambasciata di Sardegna in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) of the Polytechnic of Milan.

She has been part of the MCA team since 2022.

Angelo Ungarelli works as Senior Architect and Computational Designer at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He is specialized in advanced 3D modelling and Parametric design, with a solid experience at different levels and scales, supported by a multidisciplinary attitude.

Born in Bologna, he earned his Master’s degree with honors at the University of Ferrara in 2008 with the thesis “Urban Chain - Strategies for the reclamation of the San Lorenzo neighbourhood in Rome”. During his studies he participated to several workshops and seminars across Europe and Asia, addressing different architectural aspects. In 2007 he spent a year in Denmark at the Aarhus School of Architecture where he started to develop his interest in the computational field.

In 2010, shortly after graduation, he moved to Sydney, where he worked with several international firms. There he got the chance to work on a wide range of projects especially across Australia, China and Middle East, ranging from large infrastructure projects to interior design. Here he enriched his skills in advanced 3D modelling and different parametric software.

During this period, he also collaborated with the University of Sydney tutoring at the Digital Architecture Master Studio, where he further pushed his idea of innovation and experimentation.

In 2016 Angelo joined the MCA team in Bologna, where he has been working on multiple projects and several international competitions as an architect with a focus on Digital / Parametric design with particular interest in the implications of their application to everyday life.

Claudio Zampaglione works as Senior Architect and BIM Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Building Construction and Architectural Engineering from the University of Catania in 2015; he later on worked for an important Sicilian firm on projects of restoration of historical buildings, new luxury villas, hotels, and wineries. From 2017 to 2022, he moved to the Netherlands and worked for leading international firms, designing public and residential buildings in multidisciplinary teams.

His experience as an architect and BIM specialist encompasses a wide range of project scales, from concept design to the writing of construction documents. An expert in blending engineering with design, he specializes in highly energy-efficient mixed-use buildings, achieved through optimized BIM workflows and sustainability assessments.

Jacopo Ambrosiani works as an Architect and BIM Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated with honors in Architecture and Urban Planning from the Politecnico di Milano in 2020, with a thesis on the potential for urban and architectural regeneration of the Milanese suburbs through the revitalization of the Naviglio, the relationship between sustainable architecture and the use of open-source programs for bioclimatic design.

During his studies he participated in an important international sustainable design competition and throughout his career he worked on social and environmental sustainability projects.

Particularly interested in sustainability issues, he has worked with prestigious Milanese architectural firms developing technical skills, design skills and BIM methodology. He has been part of the MCA team since 2023.

Arianna Bartolotti works as an Engineer and Computational Design Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Specialized in computational and parametric design for architectural and construction systems, she graduated in 2022 in Architecture and Building Engineering at the University of Bologna.

She cultivated a passion for architectural design and 3D modeling at the Bauhaus Architecture School, and thereafter she grew a strong interest in parametric design as a way of innovating traditional design processes.

Her thesis focused on the architectural design of a doublecurvature pavilion characterized by shell structure tasselized with planar wooden elements that can be assembled and disassembled, to be used for temporary or emergency purposes. She has developed architectural and urban planning skills, starting from the concept up to the development of executive details. She has been part of the MCA team since 2023.

Andrea Bernardi works as an Architect and Computational Design Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Bologna, he graduated in Construction Engineering and Architecture from the University of Bologna in 2023, developing skills in both Civil Engineering and Architectural Design.

His dissertation is about the landscape seam from the historical centre of Bologna to the countryside, and focuses on the architectural composition and design of new buildings, the conservation and remodelling of existing buildings and urban development, providing an overview of the entire construction process.

In 2021, he did an internship at a renowned architectural firm in Madrid, Spain, where he participated in the design of several competitions and commissions.

In 2023, he joined the MCA team, where he works as an architect in the design of public and private works from the Concept to the execution phase.

Andrea Bonafede works as an Engineer and Computational Designer Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in 2021 from the Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna, completing his master's degree in Building Engineering-Architecture with a research thesis on the study of emerging systems. After graduation he managed structural projects of seismic improvement on existing buildings from the preliminary to the executive phase and assisted in the supervision of works. Since 2022 he has been collaborating with MCA working on different design phases, from the study and modelling of concepts in national and international competitions, to the definition of executive projects.

Anderea developed solid skills in high-level computational design; he is an expert in parametric and generative modelling for integrated architectural design. Furthermore, he is a 3D graphics programmer with intermediate knowledge of C# and Python.

Nicola works as an Architect and Parametric Design Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Bari with a thesis titled "Self Made Architecture: Generative and Additive Design in Architecture", and studied at the University of Architecture of Coimbra, in Portugal. In 2023, he completed a Master's degree in Architecture and Sustainable Design from SOS-School of Sustainability.

He has worked with several design studios as a 3D modeller and renderer, specialising in digital fabrication, parametric modelling and 3D printing; he has also obtained several certificates in building architecture design with digital technologies, Architecture and Structures 4.0 and digital visualisation.

His design philosophy centers on crafting sustainable, minimalist, and innovative living spaces that prioritize user needs and cultural heritage preservation.

Mirko Cardano works as an Architect and Technical Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in 2019 with a degree in Architecture from the University of Ferrara, with a thesis on museographic design. He has expertise in multiple areas of architecture, from the design of small private buildings to large public complexes, ranging from the conceptual phase to executive design and construction supervision.

He focuses on the integration of innovative and sustainable technological solutions, combining aesthetics, functionality and respect for the environment.

He has many years of experience in prestigious architectural firms, where he has collaborated on major projects in Italy and abroad.

Federica Cassani works as an Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She studied Architecture at the University of Bologna, where she graduated cum Laude with a thesis on the redevelopment of Bari’s station area, transformed into a hanging park that becomes a container of urban flows and a space for the community.

In 2020 she pursued an internship at a renown studio in Granada, Spain, where she contributed to several projects and publications for the 17th Biennale di Architettura in Venice.

Before joining the MCA team, Federica worked at different studios, gaining valuable experience in the design of international projects, mostly in schematic and competition phases.

Starting from the degree thesis up to the following collaborations, she explored topics related to masterplanning and medium/large scale design, with a strong interest on sustainability and parametric design. She has been collaborating with MCA since 2022.

Lorenzo Mancini is an Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Specialized in Architectural Visualization, he earned his Architecture Master's degree from Ferrara University in 2017 with an awarded thesis on the environmental and social impacts of converting an industrial building in Senigallia.

Following his graduation, he relocated to Porto, Portugal, where he worked as an architect for four years, until 2021. During these years abroad, he honed his project management skills on residential and student housing projects. Additionally, he specialized as a design leader for international competitions, most notably for public buildings and common spaces, achieving valuable awards. His architectural design experience encompasses all phases, from concept to construction. Passionate about 3D visualization, he sees it as a transformative tool for architects to refine designs and communicate their ideas with clarity. He has been part of the MCA team since 2021.

Chiara Martinelli is an Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

Born in Brussels, Belgium, she is a qualified architect with an international background.

After completing the Erasmus program at the Manchester Metropolitan University, she achieved a master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design, graduating with honors from the Politecnico di Milano in 2020.

She developed a thesis on rapid urbanization, informal settlements and slum upgrade through the participatory design process in African countries. She then completed an internship in Copenhagen, Denmark, dealing with complex projects and competitions for large- and medium-scale buildings, such as schools and hospitals.

She gained experience in interior design by collaborating with a design studio in Marrakech, Morocco. She is passionate about music and she always sings!

Marcello Michelini works as an Engineer and Computational Design Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering in Bologna in 2020 with a thesis on the application of stigmergic algorithms in the field of architecture. After graduating, he participated in several national and international design competitions, specialising in parametric modelling and the management of complex geometries.

Since 2021, he has been working permanently with Mario Cucinella Architects as Computational Design Expert. Within the studio, he has worked on various design phases, from concepts to executive drawings. In his role he has a focus on the use of advanced computational design techniques to create complex and dynamic 3D models, the generation of innovative design solutions through the analysis and management of project data.

Since 2023, he has been teaching the Digital & Parametric Design course of the SOS-School of Sustainability's Sustainable Architecture and Design master's programme.

Martina Chiara Nardini works as an Architect and BIM Specialist at Mario Cucinella Architects. She graduated in Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano in 2021, specializing in the Built Environment and Interiors.

After two years of experience in Milan, focusing on the design of residential complexes through building renovation projects, she moved to Paris. There, driven by a desire to deepen the integration of sustainability and architectural design, she had the opportunity to work on the project of an elementary school in Plaisir, Île-de-France.

Joining MCA in 2023, she is involved in urban development projects.

Passionate about architectural design in all its phases, she demonstrates a particular commitment to achieving a harmonious balance between aesthetics and sustainability within the built environment.

Mara Rosaria Nunziante works as an Architect at Mario Cucinella Architects.

She graduated with honours from the University of Naples Federico II with a thesis on construction technology and prototyping of a cardboard pavilion with the use of parametric tools. After her graduation she achieved the II level master MADI at the IUAV University, developing her skills in visualization and 3D modeling.

Later on, in 2020 she moved to Copenhagen where she worked within the Competition Team and Digital Practice Department, focusing on AR building simulations. Back to Italy, Mara worked for a studio in Milan as a 3D visual artist for international competitions and Italian projects. She has been part of the MCA Architectural team since 2022.

A constant innovator, she explores how to integrate modern technologies throughout the architectural design process, from initial concepts to detailed masterplans.

Davide Rando works as an Architect and BIM Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects; he is specialized in Building Information Modelling and Construction Technology.

Born in Torre del Greco, he graduated with honours in Architecture from the Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” in 2018. From 2013 to 2014 he studied Architecture and Urbanism in Alicante, Spain, at the Universidad de Alicante. During his studies, he actively participated in research projects and led workshops and tutoring activities for the university of Naples, Federico II.

Concurrently with working on numerous rail infrastructure and urban regeneration projects at a prestigious Milanese studio, he pursued a BIM Management Master's course at the Politecnico di Milano in 2019. From 2017 to 2019 he also collaborated with a studio in Naples on projects involving the restoration of railway stations.

In 2021 he started his collaboration with MCA in Bologna, working as an architect and BIM Specialist in many projects involving large-scale residential and urban regeneration projects, basketball arenas and hospitals.

Architect and BIM Coordinator at Mario Cucinella Architects, Valerio Recchioni graduated with honours and special mention from the University of Ferrara.

He honed his personal architectural language and design expertise working with internationally recognized architectural studios in Italy and abroad. His experience encompasses the use of advanced architectural software. He has also took part in numerous design competitions and artistic events that have further enriched his academic and professional experience.

He is the author of 'Genius Disloci', a series of architectural illustrations that have been published in major magazines such as 'Casabella' and 'Domus'.

Committed to continuous learning, he furthered his expertise by pursuing a Master's degree focused on BIM, equipping him with the technical skills to navigate the entire BIM process.

Currently, as a designer and BIM Coordinator, he contributes on several fronts, not considering the disciplines as autonomous, but rather as a single, complex whole.

Giacomo Righi Grimaldi works as an Engineer and Computational Design Expert at Mario Cucinella Architects.

He graduated in Building Engineering - Architecture at the Faculty of Bologna with a master’s thesis entitled 'Tubular assemblage', an architectural system based on a self-organized assemblage of adaptive tubular elements, that recreates architecture by condition of growth. His designs were shown at the exhibition 'This 1s n0t 4rchitecture' and published in the related publication. He also worked as an academic tutor at the Alma Mater Studiorum in Bologna, in the Architectural Composition III workshop.

During his studies, he worked as an intern for a famous Italian 3D printing company, pioneer of the architectural scale of 3D printing technologies.

He participated to the 2020 edition of digitalFuturesWORLD workshop series, organized by the forefront figures of computational design. Since 2020 he has been working at Mario Cucinella Architects as a computational design expert and BIM specialist.