Giulia de Appolonia: Clear and Innovative Architect

Giulia de Appolonia is an architect who creates clear, strong, and explicit works of architecture. She began her career in Italy and Portugal. Throughout her career, she has created works that are simple in their visual form and attention to detail. Throughout her 20-year career, she has contributed to contemporary architecture through her innovative projects.

Vittorio Grassi (Director Principal of VGA Architects) and Marco Aloisini (Director Partner of VGA Architects)

Giulia de Appolonia began her architectural journey as an undergraduate at the Politecnico di Milano in 1988. During her studies, she received various educational scholarships that paved the way for a professional career from 1991/92 to 1994. Her most influential experience was during her studies at FAULT, Lisboa. She spent 10 years living in Portugal during a period when Portuguese architecture was flourishing. This period is also called the Porto School, headed by Alvaro Siza.

Regardless, Giulia de Appolonia chose Lisbon as her explorative orientation. She worked for João Luis Carrilho da Graça. This opportunity gave her a greater understanding of the world of architecture. In addition, she also enriched her experience through heritage restoration projects.

Science Museum by: Giulia de Appolonia

Her name became known after she won an international competition in 2000 for the Viva Science Center in Bragança, which combines design and technological innovation to create an educational and inspiring space experience for visitors, and the Istituto Zooprofilattico project in Brescia.

Other professional experience includes founding a firm with Camillo Botticini in 2008 that works on national and international projects, such as the urban park in Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal, and the multifunctional building in Assago, Milan. The project integrates residential, education, and university functions in one area. It manages complex spaces while cautiously prioritizing site context and the needs of the users.

In 2014, Giulia de Appolonia founded her firm, Officina di Architettura. The firm focuses on small to medium-sized projects through an approach that prioritizes full control of the design and construction stages. Officina di Architettura's philosophy in design is to balance contrasts, black and white, soft and hard.

Her works have a stereometric character that is both firm and soft against the context of its environment. Such as the Sports Center at Olgiate Olona, where she presents openness and functionality, creating a contrast to the mass of the building.

Sports Center at Olgiate Olona cr: Filippo Poli

Residential building in Assago, Milan by: Giulia de Appolonia

The G Zanella School, VILLAFRANCA by: Giulia de Appolonia cr: Atelier XYZ