USI Medal to Mario Botta

During the 28th Dies academicus, the USI Medal was presented to the architect Mario Botta. This honour was introduced in 2023 by the University Council as a mark of gratitude to people who have particularly distinguished themselves for "their important contribution to the development of Università della Svizzera italiana".

Mario Botta, born in Mendrisio on 1 April 1943, is one of the leading figures of the so-called "Ticino school of architecture", which also included his friend Aurelio 'Lio' Galfetti, with whom he devised the innovative project called USI Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio in the 1990s, which he also directed in 2002 and 2011.

After an apprenticeship as a construction designer in Tita Carloni's studio, Mario Botta studied first in Milan and then in Venice. He graduated from the IUAV in 1969 with a thesis supervised by Carlo Scarpa. In those years, he met Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, architects who would greatly influence his style.

Returning to Switzerland, he opened his own firm, initially devoting himself to constructing single-family houses, including the villas in Riva San Vitale and Ligornetto, which were built in the early 1970s. His work subsequently embraced all building types: schools, banks, administrative buildings, libraries, museums and religious buildings. His work has been honoured with major international awards and numerous exhibitions dedicated to his research.

Mario Botta, with the support of then State Councillor Giuseppe Buffi and Mayor of Mendrisio Carlo Croci, developed a unique model for the USI Academy of Architecture. Botta worked alongside his friend Aurelio Galfetti, who served as the first director of the academy. This model differed significantly from the approaches taken by other institutes of technology and schools of architecture in Switzerland.

The proposed cultural and pedagogical approach is inspired by a strong humanistic imprint in a synthesis of technical knowledge, human and social sciences, operational skills and critical and historical thinking, also acting as a bridge between the North and the Mediterranean. In 2005, Mario Botta promoted a new initiative: Teatro dell'architettura, an USI location designed to foster cultural debate in the field of architecture and the visual arts. A professor emeritus of the Academy, Botta has served as President of the Scientific Council and was Director in the academic years 2002-03 and 2011-13.