Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing Honorable mention winner - Alarico Ruffino

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing competition – Alarico Ruffino from Italy!

Alarico Ruffino

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

I am a young Italian architect, currently I’m working in an architectural design studio based in Milano and I’m also carrying out a tutoring role at the university. I started my studies in 2016 at Politecnico di Torino, where I obtained my Bachelor degree in July 2019. The same year I moved to Politecnico di Milano to start my Master degree path. In October 2020 I began an international Double Degree at the Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology in China, which I concluded in 2022 with a thesis on the redevelopment of the historic Muslim District of the city. From November to February 2023 I attended an advanced training course in “Humanitarian Architecture” at YAC Academy, in Bologna. After the course I had the opportunity to carry out a three-month internship at “El Equipo Mazzanti”, a renowned international architectural design studio based in Medèllin, Colombia.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

During my university career I have mainly developed medium-scale projects, from the redevelopment of urban blocks to architectural restoration. In recent years I have focused particularly on projects for the redevelopment and reuse of the existing urban texture, in order to enhance the existing heritage, and projects of a social and humanistic nature.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

For me, the figure of the Architect represents a combination of technique and art, capable of understanding social changes and planning the interventions necessary to improve the living conditions of the whole community.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I participate in architecture competitions to give freedom to my imagination and creativity, and also to experiment with new ideas, forms, and technologies. Furthermore, as a young architect, competitions are a way for me to improve my graphic design and communication skills, as well as gain greater visibility on a professional level.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

To those people approaching architecture competitions for the first time I would like to say: "Don't be afraid to take risks. Do not enter competitions just with the idea of winning a prize or recognition, try to see them more as personal challenges and excellent exercises in creativity and experimentation. This way the time you dedicate to these projects will never be wasted”