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CURRICULUM ARCHEA

 

In 1988 the architects Laura Andreini (Florence,June 17, 1964), Marco Casamonti (Florence,April 13, 1965) and Giovanni Polazzi (Florence,December 19, 1959), graduates of the Florence Faculty of Architecture, founded the Studio Archea in Florence. In 1999 they were joined by Silvia Fabi and in 2001, with the opening of a new branch in Rome and Genoa, by Gianna Parisse and Massimiliano Giberti. Along with studio’s main activity, consisting of research in the design sphere and the realization of architecture on various scales ranging from the object to the building to urban planning projects, each member of the studio carries out intensive, well-integrated teaching and research activity in various Italian faculties of architecture within the discipline of architectural designing: in Genoa, where Marco Casamonti is professor of Architectural Design, in Florence where Laura Andreini conducts research and teaches a course in Architectural Composition, in Parma where Silvia Fabi is under contract to teach a course in Architectural Design, and in Rome where Gianna Parisse is now completing a doctorate in research. This activity has been accompanied over the years by intense study and critical reflection on the themes of architecture divulged through articles and writings published in books and reviews in Italy and abroad. In addition, Marco Casamonti has been managing director of the international architectural review Area since 1997. Since 1999 he has been co-director with Paolo Portoghesi of the review Materia and, since that same year, editorial and scientific director of the architectural sector of Motta Architettura. Called upon to hold conferences at numerous institutions and authorities, the studio has realized a number of architectural works that have not only been publicized in major reviews and books on the international level (Abitare, Casabella, Domus, L’Arca, in Italy, A&V and Disegno Interior in Spain, AIT and Detail in Germany, etc.) but also selected for important architectural exhibitions. In 1996, with the Entertainment Center at Curno (Bg), the studio was invited to participate in the Italian section of the VI International Exhibition of Architecture at the Venice Biennale; in 2002 with the Leffe House, it was chosen for the international architectural exhibition of Pietra and for the Italian exhibition of architecture at Tokyo called “From Futurism to the Possible Future”. Archea Associati has participated in some of the most important national and international architectural competitions and consultations, winning numerous recognitions and awards. In 1998 the studio won the competition for the Managerial and Commercial Pole of Calenzano in the Province of Florence (with Ipostudio and Di Franco); in 1999, third prize for the new site of the Venice Faculty of Architecture; in 2000, second prize for the site of the Italian Space Agency in Rome; in 2001 and in 2002 it was a finalist in the competitions for the high-speed train stations of Turin and Florence; still in 2002 it was chosen by Immobiliare Novoli, under the scientific direction of Aimaro Isola and Francesco Dal Co, as one of the nine Italian groups selected to construct a block in the former Fiat area of Florence; in 2003 it won the competition for enlarging the Port of Savona (with 5+1 and Pellegrini) and the one for designing, upgrading and bringing into compliance with standards the Michelangelo Camping Grounds in Florence. In 2004, with the architect Rafael Moneo, it was chosen to participate in the competition for the new Palazzo del Cinema in Venice. The studio also participates in the extranet event “Lonely living” within the context of the VIII International Exhibition of Architecture at the Venice Biennale. Again for the Biennale, it was invited in 2003 to create the entrance for the 50th edition of figurative arts with the traveling exhibition “The Cord” designed by Archea Associati and C+S. At present the studio participates in the work carried out by Aida (Agenzia Italiana di Architettura) through which it is engaged in publicizing, diffusing and promoting Italian architecture, while its partners are members of the Scientific Forum of the review d’Architettura. Current projects include a great plaza equipped with various facilities under construction at Merate in the Province of Lecco, and a cultural center (auditorium, picture gallery and library) in the same city, the municipal library of Curno in the Province of Bergamo, and numerous other buildings still in the contracting stage, among them the municipal library of Nembro, a social and educational center at Seregno, a residential and commercial center at Tavarnuzze in the Province of Florence, numerous environmental and architectural works for the SocietИ Autostrade SpA within the context of the passage of the third lane around the Florentine area and in particular at the Certosa exit, a great parking area, a bicycle path and an urban park. In 2004 two important new projects were carried out, the upgrading of the former Panificio Militare area in Via Mariti in Florence, with the architect Rafael Moneo, and the new Antinori wine production works in the Bargino locality at San Casciano Val di Pesa (Province of Florence). Within the context of industrial design the studio has obtained numerous patents for the design of products and elements in the technical lighting sector, and construction materials for which the studio has designed and realized recomposed terracotta in joint venture with two of the leading companies in the sector. This activity follows upon intense collaboration with the world of the building industry with the aim of establishing concrete, active collaboration between culture of the project and culture of production. At present, in the five main branches located in Florence, Rome and Genoa, approximately one hundred persons are employed, including architects, designers and commercial artists as well as secretarial, administrative and external relations personnel, and from three to five interns coming from various parts of the world, who usually alternate every six months.