Alessandra Zappa was born in 2002 in Brescia, after obtaining her linguistic high school diploma she moved to Milan to follow the Interior Design course at the Politecnico. Greatly passionate about photography and videomaking, she began collaborating with an independent radio station that covered underground music in the Milanese area, creating photographic content. Driven by pragmatism, she likes to work in a team and bring a piece of herself into her projects. In recent years she’s understood how the design of environments is a profound and intrinsic area in the daily life of every person, capable of telling their story at 360 degrees, starting from a project on paper up to its representation and its story. Listening and collaboration are skills learned thanks to experimenting with photographic documentation, skills that were then useful during the design process.

I am Anna Pustizi, born in Brescia in 2001. In 2024, I graduated in Communication Design from the Politecnico di Milano. Having completed my undergraduate studies, I am ready to pursue a master's degree to deepen my knowledge and enhance my skills as a designer. Over the years, I have developed a strong interest in the world of 3D and I am eager to explore this field further, along with motion design. My passion for art, expressed through drawing and painting, has expanded thanks to the opportunities offered by digital media. I am excited to combine my artistic sensibility with digital technologies to create innovative and visually engaging projects. I am interested in exploring new techniques and software to push the boundaries of creativity and develop unique solutions in the field of design.

Hi, my name is Anna and I graduated in Product Design at Politecnico di Milano. I’m a sociable and outgoing girl who loves learning new things, working in teams and leading ever-changing experiences. In the project field, I consider myself a precise, flexible person, open to listening and being inspired. My greatest qualities are meticulousness and observation skills: I pay close attention to details, and I always try to delve into the research and engineering phase.

My name is Arianna, and I am a third-year Product Design student at Politecnico di Milano. I believe design is a creative activity aimed at improving people’s lives. As a creative and people-oriented person, I have always been passionate about it!

I prefer a multidisciplinary approach to my projects, exploring visual identities, analogue photography, and website design alongside product design. This broad interest led me to participate in the Open Atelier workshop, where I collaborated with students from different majors and exchanged ideas.

I firmly believe in the power of collaboration; sharing our work allows us to gain insights and incorporate ideas we might not have considered. Together, we can reach our full potential and create truly impactful designs.

I am Beatrice Gallo and I am a student of Architecture at Politecnico di Milano. I have a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design and at the same institute I am attending the master’s degree in Architectural Design and History. Already during the first years of university I realized that what interests me most about architecture is history, how what we see today is actually the result of years of history and transformations, architectural and otherwise. So, I realized that the role of the architect is to communicate and preserve what has come to us, to ensure that it reaches future generations. This happens not only through large works or buildings, but also with the study of the past, with exhibitions and small interventions, with the deep knowledge of what we have and what we can and must do.

I am a 23-year-old architecture student from Oslo, Norway, currently in my fifth year of the Master's program in architecture at NTNU Trondheim. Having my exchange year in Politecnico di Milano, I was given the opportunity to collaborate with Skagen Museum. My passion lies in creating beautiful and functional environments, which I believe is essential for enhancing the quality of life. Outside of my academic pursuits, I am an avid photographer and enjoy outdoor activities such as randonee and skiing.

I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Skagen Museum on the Biennale di Venezia project. The Art Biennale di Venezia is a prestigious international cultural event that showcases contemporary art from around the world. Participating in this project aligns perfectly with my interests and provides a platform to contribute to a globally recognized exhibition. I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm, creativity, and expertise to this collaboration.

My name is Chiara Donato and I am a recent graduate in the Master program of Architecture and Urban Design in Politecnico di Milano. I have always had a great passion for architecture and creativity, and during my studies, I was able to deepen these inclinations. Architecture, to me, is creating spaces that tell a story and evoke emotions. I am fascinated by how architectural designs can transform communities and enhance the quality of life.

I love traveling, as it represents an opportunity to discover different cultures, unique architectural styles, and new perspectives that enrich my cultural and professional background. Each experience abroad inspires me to experiment and innovate, bringing a touch of originality to my projects. I am naturally curious and enjoy continuous learning, both through books and direct experiences.

I come from bachelor studies in Interior Design at Politecnico di Milano where I grew fond of cultural development, arts, new materials and building technologies research.

My design philosophy is shaped by my passion for diverse global lifestyles and my commitment to incorporate an international perspective into the work. My Polish - Italian heritage and my experience in Switzerland and Middle East inspired my interdisciplinary projects. In my opinion, future architecture will and should bring people together. I am dedicated to continuous learning and innovation, with a passion for interactive design and open to discover new ways to improve our world, I aspire to contribute to the field by creating environments that can have a positive social impact.

As a multidisciplinary urban professional, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in the workshop, where I can combine my passion for multidisciplinary exploration. I have always been passionate about exploring the interplay between different disciplines, having a background in urban planning, policy design, sociology, anthropology, and GIS analysis.

Currently I am in my second year of MSc Programme “Urban planning and Policy Design” in Politecnico di Milano, with a background in Urban Sociology. For the last 5 years I have been working as an Urban analyst, anthropologist and consultant. My experience includes developing master plans and strategies for cities, historical towns, natural territories and residential districts. I have also participated in the development of design guidelines for cities. I have been working on numerous projects in Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Portugal.

I am an italian architecture student currently pursuing my Master’s in Architecture, Built Environment, and Interiors at Politecnico di Milano. With a strong foundation from my Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design (110/110), I am expanding my horizons through an Erasmus program at Universität der Künste Berlin. My professional experience includes significant contributions to exhibitions and projects such as the “Living the Fence” for the Einar Jónsson Museum in Iceland and participation in the Venice Biennale. I have also collaborated on numerous design and technical drawing projects during her internship at Valentina Putzolu Architetto in Milan. My digital skills encompass a variety of tools, including AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere Pro, reflecting my technical proficiency and creative flair. Fluent in Italian and proficient in English, I am a well-rounded, internationally-minded professional ready to make impactful contributions to the field of architecture.

I’m a master's degree student in Architecture-Built Environment-Interiors, at Politecnico di Milano.

I’ve always been passionate about design and architecture fields. Due to this, I attended a High School of Arts in Bologna which was followed by a three-year degree in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano. I had two internships in Italy (at Mario Cucinella Architects and Iosa Ghini Associati) and one in Delft, Netherlands (at VakwerkArchitecten). I am a very curious and active person, and even in my free time I look for new experiences and knowledge related to my studies and my passions. I consider myself a lively but very thoughtful person, I usually put these parts of me also in my work and due to this I really appreciate teamwork.

As a third-year Interior Design student at the Politecnico di Milano, I have gained valuable experience through internships, emonstrating my dedication, motivation, and passion for the complex and engaging field of design. My deep interest in art, architecture, and cinema has shaped both my academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, including theater and applied arts courses. Additionally, I have a longstanding fascination with gastronomy. In terms of sports, I enjoy skiing.

I am Martina Ferrarelli, an Interior Design student at the Politecnico di Milano. For several years I have developed a passion for photography, architecture and design, which is why I decided to undertake this university course. My university studies allowed me to delve deeper into these interests as well as improve my ability to organize and work in a team, skills that have proven to be very useful in many contexts, both in professional and non-professional life. In every project I like to take care of the details with precision and determination, aspects that characterize my works. I would like to continue working in the Interior Design sector, reconciling work with my passions.

I am a student of industrial product design at the Politecnico di Milano, driven by an unbounded passion for innovation and creativity. My enthusiasm lies in integrating diverse interests to create unique and exciting projects. Constantly seeking new challenges, I thrive on pushing my boundaries and exploring new ideas. Beyond my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as writing and participating in student associations' initiatives, which allow me to contribute to and grow within my community. This year, 2024, has been particularly significant for me as I had the honor of participating in the Global Youth Leaders Program for the G7 in Italy. I look forward to discovering the next steps of this journey.

I’m Mine Gülsün Kahveci from Türkiye. I got my Bachelor Degree in TED University from Architecture Department. In 2022, I started my Master’s Degree in Politecnico di Milano Mantova Campus. I’m interested in historic buildings’ renovations and reuse projects as well as urban design. Besides architecture, I’m interested in violin; I played for ten years and participated in ABRSM Exams for two years in a row. I’m a volleyball fan, and I like playing it. Nowadays, I’m also interested in website designing and I’m trying to develop myself in this.

After graduating from Nottingham Trent University, I have gained experience as a RIBA Part 1 Architectural Assistant working on social housing projects in England. I enrolled in the MSc Architectural Design and History course at Politecnico di Milano in order to expand my interests in historical architecture and conservation. Because of my deep care for social issues, I focused my thesis research on inclusivity in a historical context, which allows to combine my professional experience with the knowledge gained during my master’s studies. My projects are based on empathy towards future users through the careful balance of aesthetics, functionality, sustainability and community needs. During my time at Politecnico di Milano I have been actively involved with student organizations PAC Mantova as a Committee Member.

In my free time, I enjoy reading books and crocheting.

My name is Oscar Duus Carlsen, and I am an architecture student at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I have held several student assistant positions at the model workshop and gained practical experience through seasonal work with a construction company.

For the academic year 2023/2024, I participated in an exchange program at Politecnico di Milano, where I completed my fourth year of study. During this time, I also participated in workshops organised by the Open Atelier Association, which provided me with exciting learning opportunities and experiences.

I am Sandra Merlin Sagayanathan from India. I completed my bachelor's degree in architecture at Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai, India, and am currently pursuing my master's in architectural history and design at Politecnico di Milano. I have experience working on residential and commercial architecture, as well as interior projects, in India. Growing up in a country rich with diverse mythologies and cultures, I have always been inspired by the abundant historical presence around me. I believe heritage and culture provide meaning and identity to different communities, serving as lessons from our ancestors on living harmoniously with natural resources and conditions. It troubles me to see heritage structures being demolished instead of being preserved and integrated when changes are needed. Therefore, I am committed to finding solutions that help people understand the significance of heritage and explore possible interventions to convey their stories to future generations.

I am Seher Begüm Boztepe, from Türkiye. In 2022, I graduated from TED University in Architecture, in Ankara. In the same year, I started my Master’s Degree in Politecnico di Milano, of Architectural History and Design, in Mantova. I am interested in history of architecture, restoration and adaptive reuse, and exhibition design. Addition to architecture, I am interested in different sport branches as spectator, while I am only doing yoga and play voleyball sometimes. I love reading, mostly fiction. Currently, addition to my master’s thesis research, I am working on my 3D modelling and illustration skills.

I am Silvia Susanna Bottini, a former student of Politecnico di Milano just graduated in Industrial Product Design.

I decided to specialize in this field because of my interest in materials and new technologies that made me approach this world. During these years I have had the opportunity to develop different projects ranging from small household appliances, medical devices, to communication projects such as websites and brand identity.

Graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Design at Politecnico di Milano and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture at Sapienza University of Rome, I have worked in both national and international architecture studios. Currently I am working at EMBT Miralles Tagliabue office in Barcelona. Being passionate about the idea of narrating a space through architecture, I am always attentive to the traces that are revealed within the context. I have participated in many national and international workshops and competitions over the years, believing it is a catalyst moment for young professionals and non to get in touch with new thematics and gain new knowledge.

Umberto Radrizzani, university student at the school of Interior Design at the Polytechnic of Milan.

Before starting this school he attended the Enrico Fermi scientific high school in Cantù, in the province of Como.

Creative, sporty and lover of travel are the adjectives that best describe him. Creativity always leads him to not be satisfied, to seek innovative thinking. Sport is his great passion that allows him to overcome his limits. His love of travel allows him to change his perspective on the world and discover new ways of living, it offers him the opportunity to gain confidence and different skills.

I am Valentina Dragone, a young charismatic woman. I am hard working and I have a positive atitude towards my life and my job. The educational path that I followed taught me to be open minded and to think out of the box, as well as team work. The study of three foreign languages has increased in me the curiosity for what’s different and far from where I live and the wanderlust to discover how different and, at the sametime, how similar many cultures and places are.

Cooperating for a common goal is for me a quality and an achievement. The disciplines of architecture, design and art are a synthesis of this cooperative approach to fulfil a bigger result, than the one accomplished by a single individual, since the result of the above-mentioned disciplines is always achieved by a team.

The Open Atelier work reflects these values and principles: the work for a museum, in the trace of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is a work for the culture and the future.

My name is Veit Mathis Söhnlein. I am twentythree years old. I was born in the small city Bamberg in Germany and did in 2019 my Abitur. Subsequent I started a draftsman education for two years and finished it in 2021. Ensuing I began with my architecture studies at the RWTH Aachen university. In September 2023 I took my Erasmus exchange at the Politecnico di Milano while I applied for the workshop “past heritage for a sustainable future” which is part of the open atelier program. Studying a creative subject makes me a lot of fun, because you create something, which is hopefully improving our world. My hobbies are table tennis, dancing and calisthenics and I like to engage in history, art, politics and culture.

I am an architecture student with a deep and growing interest in history and heritage protection. My passion for preserving historical landmarks and understanding the rich cultural narratives embedded in architecture has been a driving force throughout my academic journey. During my college years, I have dedicated myself to expanding my knowledge in several key areas, including architectural history, architectural space, and urban planning. These subjects are not just my main areas of interest; they are the foundation of my academic pursuits and future career aspiration.

Zhou You has a keen interest in digital heritage, architectural heritage preservation, and design, complemented by diverse multicultural experience. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Architectural Design and History from the Polytechnic University of Milan, and she holds a Master’s degree in Architecture Design and a Bachelor's degree in Fundamentals of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Zhou explores the intersection of advanced digital technologies and heritage conservation, focusing on how digital tools can be used to document, preserve, and present architectural history. Her research spans historical and rural architecture across Asia and Europe, including studies on the rehabilitation of vernacular housing and religious architecture in China. Zhou's expertise in digital heritage allows her to employ tools such as Virtual Reality, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and digital survey techniques to enhance the preservation and accessibility of architectural heritage.