The architects Andrea Boschetti and Alberto Francini are founders and managers of the Metrogramma urban planning and design studio.
Metrogramma has been exploring various themes within design with a comprehensive outlook on the different scales of the contemporary city. The relationship between project and place is a factor which always addresses the interest, the process and the sensibility particular to the studio.
Since 1998 Metrogramma has participated and won several international and national competitions. In 2006 the studio has won the international competition of the Nansha City of Ministers in Guangzhou, China. At present, in China (Saibei), Metrogramma is planning a receptive and residential area called “Dolomiti Village” commissioned for Leitner Spa.
Metrogramma has been responsible for projects involving important urban transformations such as the scenery of displacement of the present railway area for Bozen’s Town Council; the design of the new masterplan of the Rozzano area in Milan for the Brioschi/Cabassi group; the urban and architectural master plan of the Logistic Pole of Segrate’s Town Council for Fintecna building society as well as the Ravenna industrial harbour reorganization for CMC (Cooperativa Muratori Cementisti).
Always in Italy it is occupying with the masterplan of the development of Tenuta Primero area in Grado (Venice) and with the masterplan of a new harbour of Molfetta (Bari).
In Russia, Ucraine and Romania Metrogramma is committed by Austrian society IRD (Dolomiti Superski-Leitner) for the design of some masterplans of receptive hotel and residential areas for winter sports. On behalf of Krasnoyarsk’s Administration (Russia), Metrogramma was recently committed for the project of the territorial planning scheme of the agglomeration, aimed to put in this Siberian city for International EXPO of 2020. Currently the firm is engaged in the design of a masterplan connected to a Sports Village, called Sunny Valley, situated in Miass, a central Russia city, perched on the Ural mountains, in Celjabinsk oblast.
In 2000 Metrogramma was invited by the Biennial of Venice, in 2005 by the Biennial of Architecture in London and in 2006 by the Biennial of San Paolo. In 2008 it took part in the 1st Biennal of Architecture in Moscow, the 2st Biennial of London and 11th Biennial of Architecture in Venice.
Theorethical-planning researches, in conjunction with professional activity, have always characterized the work of Metrogramma. Habitat_BZ 2001 and SuperInfrastrutture researches, commissioned by Bolzano’s Town Council and the Consorzio Nazionale Artigiani, received several awards and reviews (Guinigi award and Gold medal of the Italian Architecture).
As far as architectural themes Metrogramma is concerned with the theme of housing development, according which our studio suggests the type of multilevel urban villa which generates innovative results, as well as high density productive settlements with functional mix.
In June 2004 the Presidency of the Italian Republic rewarded Metrogramma with the bronze medal of the Italian Culture and Art.
In 2007, winning the call for tenders, on behalf of the City Council of Milan Metrogramma is committed with the drafting of the new Strategic Plan of the PGT (Territorial Government Plan). During this work the studio, Andrea Boschetti personally, was nominated the scientific manager of the whole PGT, that is of the Plan of Services and the Plan of Rules.
In 2009 Metrogramma was awarded with the National Award IN/ARCH-ANCE 2009 for the project Domus Malles in Bozen.
In 2011, Andrea Boschetti and Alberto Francini together with Leopoldo Freyrie (Studio F&P) President of the Italian National Council of the Architects, founded a contemporary city critical observatory, Grammatiche Metropolitane.
Grammatiche Metropolitane moves through different areas of action:
- Publishing, through the figure of a scientific consultant and art director, providing addresses in scientific magazines and playing the key role of scientific curator at shows and exhibitions; (Show Award Cappochin)
- Training, developing educational programs and participating in the organization of training courses of high-level (MIMASP)
- Search through the design in key experimental issues relevant in the view of architectural and urban design of the contemporary city, (Creative District NIL28 for Expo 2015; MI 2030 Channel)
- Communication, serving as a cultural promoter in the relationship between city and citizens, starting from the organization of events and moments of discussion and debate on the country up to the virtual mediation through digital devices. (Creative District NIL28).
In 2011 Metrogramma together with Rossetti Architects and Cino Marchese formed STADIA_Sports Group, a ‘joint venture’ set up to develop large sports facilities in Italy and all over the world by combining the knowledge and the international experience of three different realities.
Andrea Boschetti will be the editorial consultant at the head of a critical reading committee for The Plan magazine in the biennium 2011/2012. He is regularly asked to hold lectures and public presentations of his researches at many national and international academies.
Alberto Francini is currently a guest professor at the Kent State University in Florence and in Cleveland, professor at SEI HTP “South Ural University”, Chelyabinsk (Russia) and at the Ferrara University as well as collaborator at the Polytechnic of Milan.
