Mario Botta is a Swiss architect of Italian heritage and one of the profession’s best-known and most influential figures.

Botta designed his first building at the age of 16. His designs have a strong sense of geometry, often using simple forms to create distinctive spatial volumes.

Brick appears frequently in his buildings, although his palette of materials is broad and varied. His work can be found across Switzerland and Italy, as well as in the United States and England.

Botta’s projects include new churches and the reconstruction of churches dating back centuries.

Over his career, he has received approximately 70 international awards and honorary academic distinctions. He visited Tirana for the first time in September. In an exclusive interview, he shared his first impressions of the city and discussed his career and passion for architecture.