a short history

After apprenticeship for architectural planning he attend the Art Academy in Milan.

He began his first project, the rectory in Genestrerio. After that he studied under Carlo Scarpa at the Institute University of Architecture in Venice. 1965 he worked with Le Corbusier on his last project the Venice Hospital. From 1969, shortly before the end of his studies he met Louis Kahn, with whom he worked together on various projects.
In 1970 Mario Botta opened his own Architectural Office. In the following years he designed numerous self-contained houses. At the same time, schools, administration buildings and later Banks, where Botta endeavoured to ensure that the topography conveyed characteristic town buildings. In 1979-80 he lectured as Guest Professor at the Polytechnic Lausanne.

1983 he was made honorary member of the German Federal Architects, 1984 honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. He was presented numerous awards, such as, Chicago Architecture Award, the Backsteen Award of the Royal Dutch Brick Organisation and the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He was also distinguished with the Honorary Doctor Title of the Aristoteles University in Thessaloniki. 1987 he was guest Professor at the Yale School of Architecture and he lectured as Honorary Professor at the Academy CAYC in Buenos Aires. 1991 he represented Switzerland at the Académie d’Architecture in Paris. With the foundation of the University of the Italian speaking Switzerland, he created a new Architectural Academy in Mendrisio. He has lectured there since 1996.