Our associate Lorenzo Mattozzi will be speaking at NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano on December 5.

NABA, Milan’s renowned private academy of fine arts, has been a reference point for creative education for over 45 years. With around 3,000 students and an interdisciplinary curriculum ranging from architecture and product design to fashion, media, and visual communication, the academy fosters a fertile environment for cross-disciplinary experimentation.

Within this context, the master’s course in New Urban Design “Eco Design Module 1”is dedicated to imagining the future of the Naviglio Grande through sustainable and site-specific interventions. Led by Marco Gazzola (ex-MVRDV) of MCA, the module explores how ecological strategies, spatial innovation, and community-driven design can collectively transform one of Milan’s most historically layered and strategically significant areas. The aim is to re-activate this central and neuralgic part of the city through thoughtful urban regeneration and renewed public space.

Lorenzo’s lecture, titled “Beyond the Common”, will showcase our recent work on refurbished public spaces. He will highlight four key projects: from Seoullo 7017 linear park in Seoul, to Tainan Spring water-filled plaza in Taiwan, to the colorful courtyard of the W&CC in Shenzhen, and finally to the rooftop of Pyramid in Tirana.

The lecture will illustrate MVRDV’s innovative approach to revitalizing existing structures and activating public life: breathing new energy into ageing spaces, engaging local communities, and fostering meaningful interaction.

Lorenzo Mattozzi is an Associate and Architect at MVRDV, leading projects within the DAS Studio. His work focuses on mixed-use developments, urban integration, and social connectivity. Lorenzo joined MVRDV in late 2017, initially working within the Asia Studio for four years, where he successfully completed several projects in China. He is now focusing on projects in Germany and northern Europe. Lorenzo’s previous experience in architectural firms across Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Brazil enriches his expertise in architectural design, project development, and sustainability.

• Date & time: December 5 2025, 14.00 (CET)
• Location: Via Carlo Darwin 20/22, 20143 Milano, Italy
• More information on the event can be found here