Diploma Award Ceremony of the Academy of Architecture 2024

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Diploma Award Ceremony of the Academy of Architecture of the Università della Svizzera italiana took place at Villa Argentina Park in Mendrisio.

The event was opened by Monica Duca Widmer, President of the Council of the Università della Svizzera italiana, followed by speeches from Luisa Lambertini, Rector of USI, Samuele Cavadini, Mayor of Mendrisio, Walter Angonese, Director of the Academy of Architecture, and Prof. Quintus Miller, who directed the 2024 Diploma project dedicated to the city of Basel.

A total of 135 Master of Science in Architecture diplomas, 5 PhD diplomas, and 4 Master’s degrees in History and Theory of Art and Architecture were awarded.

The 135 architecture graduates, from 24 different nationalities, completed a six-year course of study at the Academy of Architecture, where an innovative, interdisciplinary, and generalist educational model is applied. This model aims to impart skills and critical disciplinary awareness in fields ranging from the design of various architectural types to urban and landscape design, from the reuse of historical heritage to innovative and sustainable construction.

The 4 graduates in History and Theory of Art and Architecture completed a course of study that places architecture at the center of art history studies, with in-depth studies in architectural criticism and theory, museology, digital humanities, and restoration.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of awards:

The Boni Prize 2024, awarded since 2002, was given to Abigail Lucero Rivera Blas; graduates Anna Bukowska, Carlos Francisco Silva Santos, and Dominika Wąsik also received the SIA Ticino Master in Architecture Prize 2024.

The City of Mendrisio Prize, awarded for the best academic results, was given to Rui Chen, a Chinese student who completed both the Bachelor's and Master's programs at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio. Established in 2022, the prize serves as recognition from the City of Mendrisio for young architectural talents who have spent their formative years in close contact with the region surrounding the Academy of Architecture of USI.

Vitor Rafael Dias Da Silva and Gleb Vasin received the Kosmos Prize 2024 for the creation of architectural models made with sustainable materials.

The ceremony was accompanied by musical interludes performed by the woodwind quintet from the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, featuring: Alessandro Bennardo (flute), Carlo Mistretta (oboe), Matteo Nocentini (clarinet), Chorce Manson (bassoon), and Filippo Chinnici (horn).

Some photos of the event are available at www.copyrightfree.ch.