Director : Prof. Arch. Josep Acebillo
Coordinator: Arch. Enrico Sassi


The i.CUP (Institute for Contemporary Urban Project) bases its activities on projects and studies, especially in the field of territory, strategical planning, systems, infrastructures urban and architectural design. The concept of territory implies naturals and rural systems, and the city. The interpretation of the territory as a “mosaic” guarantees the first aim, which is the recognition of the complexity of the territory.
Often the territory is interpreted as an aesthetical phenomenon. The aim of the i.CUP without denying the subjectivity of the territorial analysis is to promote objective and scientific studies, on the grounds of quantitative parameters (mobility, transport, energetic consumption, sustainability, re-use of existing architectures, effect of new infrastructures, economic capacity of the territory, etc.).
To guarantee an analysis of the territory considering its complexity, the i.CUP organizes himself to assure a transversal and interdisciplinary approach. The geography, the anthropology, the historical, economic, ecological approach and, obviously, the architectural and urban design knowledge are absolutely essential for the work of the Institute.

Since the beginning, the i.CUP works in collaboration with institutions in Ticino and with international institutions such as:
- IRE, Istituto Ricerche Economiche USI (Institute of Economical Research)
- IST, Istituto Scienze della Terra SUPSI (Institute of Earth Sciences)
- Barcelona Regional
- City Program of the London School of Economics

The i.CUP works also in partnership with other university institutions and similar international and Swiss organizations.


Staff:

Stanislava Boskovic Sigon, architect
Lidor Gil-Ad, architect
Marcello Martinoni, antropologis and geographer
Elena Molteni, architect
Simona Pribeagu, architect
Francesco Vismara, geomatic engineer

Mauro Gandolla, engineer, teacher of ecology
Raffaele Ponti, Cad/Cam and 3D printer operator, ICIMSI/SUPSI
Pau de Solà-Morales, architect, teacher of information’s theory


Informations: i.CUP@arch.unisi.ch


Contents responsible: Elena Molteni