Academy of Architecture 2026 Graduation Ceremony

On Saturday, 20 June 2026, the Graduation Ceremony of the Academy of Architecture of Università della Svizzera italiana took place in the park of Villa Argentina in Mendrisio.

The event was opened by the President of the University Council of Università della Svizzera italiana, Monica Duca Widmer, followed by speeches from Prof. Gabriele Balbi, interim Rector of USI, the Mayor of Mendrisio, Samuele Cavadini, the Director of the Academy of Architecture, Riccardo Blumer, and Prof. Martino Pedrozzi, who directed the 2026 diploma, which this year was dedicated to the Ticino region.

A total of 130 Master of Science in Architecture degrees, 10 Master in History and Theory of Art and Architecture, and 5 PhDs were conferred.

Representing 24 different countries, the 130 newly qualified architects have completed a six-year degree at the Academy of Architecture. The programme is renowned for its innovative, interdisciplinary, and broad-based approach, designed to foster both technical design skills and a sharp critical awareness across the field: from architectural and urban design to landscape architecture, and from heritage conservation to innovative, sustainable building techniques.

The graduates of the Master in History and Theory of Art and Architecture completed a path that places architecture at the centre of historical-artistic studies, integrating in-depth analysis in the fields of architectural criticism and theory, museology, digital humanities, and restoration.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the awards.

Premio Città di Mendrisio, which rewards the best achievements in terms of academic curriculum, was awarded to Gabriele Sciaresa from Ticino.
Established in 2022, the award reflects the City of Mendrisio's commitment to promising young architects who completed their education within the Academy's region.

Premio Boni 2026, awarded since 2002, was presented to Chiara Botta (Italy). The award celebrates projects that seamlessly integrate a sensitivity to the landscape, high-quality individual and collective spaces, research into structural and building characteristics, and exceptional architectural representation. A special mention was awarded to the projects by Lukas Leon Odermatt (Switzerland) and Louis Jöhr (Switzerland).

Graduates Chiara Botta (Italy), Elisa Valentina Botti (Italy), and Pietro Bertolini (Italy) received the SIA Ticino Master in Architecture Prize 2026.

Elisa Valentina Botti was also awarded the AMA-Accademia Mendrisio Alumni Prize 2026, launched to mark the 30th anniversary of Università della Svizzera italiana, for the diploma project that best interprets the concept of regional architecture.

The ceremony was accompanied by music from the band RumorOSA, consisting of Academy of Architecture students Chloé Tumong on saxophone, Francesco Nanni on bass, and Francesco Campagna on drums.

A selection of photographs from the event is available on the website www.copyrightfree.ch

The complete list of graduates, along with their respective nationalities, is attached.