OBR Open Building Research

In 2000 Paolo Brescia and Tommaso Principi established the collective OBR to investigate new ways of contemporary living, creating a design network among Milan, London and New York. After working with Renzo Piano, Paolo and Tommaso have oriented the research of OBR towards the integration artifice-nature, to create sensitive architecture in perpetual change, stimulating the interaction between man and environment.

The team of OBR develops its design activity through public-private social programs, promoting – through architecture – the sense of community and the individual identities. Today OBR is group open to different multidisciplinary contributors, cooperating with different universities, such as Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio, Aalto University, Academy of Architecture of Mumbai and Mimar Sinan Fine Art University.

Among the best known works by OBR are the Pythagoras Museum, the New Galleria Sabauda in Turin, the Milanofiori Residential Complex, the Children Hospital in Parma, the Galliera Hospital in Genoa, the Lido of Genoa, the Ex Cinema Roma, the Triennale di Milano Terrace.

The under construction projects by OBR include the Lehariya Cluster in Jaipur, the Jafza Traders Market in Dubai and the Multiuse Complex Ahmad Qasir in Teheran.

OBR's projects have been featured in Venice Biennale of Architecture, Royal Institute of British Architects in London, Bienal de Arquitetura of Brasilia, MAXXI in Rome and Triennale di Milano.

OBR has been awarded with the AR Award for Emerging Architecture at RIBA, the Plusform under 40, the Urbanpromo at the 11° Biennale di Venezia, the honourable mention for the Medaglia d'Oro all'Architettura Italiana, the Europe 40 Under 40 in Madrid, the Leaf Award overall winner in London, the WAN Residential Award, the Building Healthcare Award, the Inarch Award for Italian Architecture and the American Architecture Prize in New York.

Since 2004 OBR has been evolving its design parameters according to the environmental and energy certification LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) and since 2009 OBR is partner of the GBC (Green Building Council).

Paolo Brescia
Paolo Brescia was born in Chiavari on 6 July 1970.

After his degree in 1996 in Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano, he started in 1998 his collaboration with Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

In 2000 he founded OBR Open Building Research with Tommaso Principi.

Since 2000 he is guest professor in several athenaeums lecturing at Faculty of Architecture of the Università degli Studi di Genova, Politecnico di Milano, Università di Trieste, Luiss, Sapienza Università di Roma, Kent State University, Mendrisio Academy of Architecture, Helsinki Aalto University, Academy of Architecture of Mumbai. From 2004 to 2005 he was university professor in charge at the Faculty of Industrial Design at the Politecnico di Milano.

Tommaso Principi
Tommaso Principi was born Firenze on 20 May 1970.

Before his degree in 1999 in Architecture from the Università degli Studi of Genova, he studied Civil Engineering at Università degli Studi di Bologna and he worked with Renzo Piano Building Workshop. In 2000 he founded OBR Open Building Research with Paolo Brescia.

Since 2000 he is guest professor in several athenaeums lecturing at Faculty of Architecture of the Università degli Studi di Genova, Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza Università di Roma, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Università di Messina and Kent State University.

In the 2007 he coordinated the International Workshop ICAMP for the Sustainable Developmement of the Area of The Stretto di Messina, Italy.

Completed

 * MITA, Brescia, Italy, 2023
 * Generali Corso Europa, Genoa, Italy, 2022
 * Riviera Airport, Albenga, Italy, 2021
 * Yacht Club Portofino, Italy, 2021
 * Rotonda della Besana, Milan, Italy, 2021
 * San Senatore Private House, Milan, Italy, 2019
 * Piazza del Vento, Genoa, Italy, 2017
 * ERG, Centrale di Galleto, Terni, Italy, 2016
 * Terrazza Triennale, Milano, Italy, 2014
 * Galleria Sabauda, Manica Nuova Palazzo Reale, Torino, Italy, 2014
 * Ex Cinema Roma, Parma, Italy, 2013
 * Ospedale dei Bambini, Parma, Italy, 2013
 * Ponte sul Polcevera, Genova, Italy, 2013
 * LH1 - LH2, London, UK, 2012
 * Residenze Milanofiori, Assago, Milano, Italy, 2010
 * Museo di Pitagora, Crotone, Italy, 2008
 * Vema, La Biennale di Venezia, Italy, 2006
 * We House, Lavagna, Italy, 2002
 * Uffici Cugnasco, Cuneo, Italy, 2002

Under construction

 * KGK, Jaipur, India
 * Waterfront Levante Genova, Italy
 * Casa BFF, Italy
 * Bassi Business Park, Italy
 * Museo Mitoraj, Italy

Design Competitions

 * 2022, Casa BFF, Milano (1st prize)
 * 2021, MITA Museo Internazionale del Tappeto Antico (1st prize)
 * 2020, MIND West Gate Innovation Hub, Milano (1st prize)
 * 2019, Piave Futura, Padova (2nd prize)
 * 2018, DEKA Office Via Pirelli 35, Milano, DEKA Immobilier (1st prize)
 * 2018, Mitoraj Museum, Pietrasanta (1st prize)
 * 2018, Unimore Campus, Modena (1st prize)
 * 2016, Comparto Stazioni Varese (1st prize)
 * 2016, Parco Centrale di Prato (1st prize)
 * 2016, Ex Caserma De Sonnaz  (1st prize)
 * 2016, Metropolis Malta (2nd prize)
 * 2015, Cascina Merlata, Milan (short listed)
 * 2015, DP World HQ, Dubai (selected)
 * 2015, Museo Dallara, Parma (selected)
 * 2014, Terrazza Triennale, Milan (1st prize)
 * 2014, Michelin HQ and Research Labs, Delhi (1st prize)
 * 2014, Atelier Castello, Milan (2nd prize)
 * 2014, Bayt Al Fann Jameel Arts, Jeddah (selected)
 * 2013, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai (2nd prize)
 * 2013, Santa Margherita Ligure Waterfront (1st prize)
 * 2012, Via XX Settembre “Live the City in the City”, Genova (1st prize)
 * 2012, Cesme Waterfront, Turkey (1st prize)
 * 2012, Floriopoli, Termini Imerese,  Palermo (2nd prize)
 * 2011, Olympic Park Master plan, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
 * 2011, Museums of History, Science and Technology, Dalian
 * 2010, Fiera di Messina (1st prize)
 * 2010, Shantou University Center, China (1st prize)
 * 2010, Fengqing Square a Zhengzhou, China (1st prize)
 * 2009, Masterplan Polo di Funo, Bologna (1st prize)
 * 2009, Torrenova Città Parco, Roma (short listed)
 * 2009, Social Housing, Via Cenni Milano (special mention)
 * 2009, Nuova Sede della Provincia di Bergamo (short listed)
 * 2009, Venaria Urban Centre (2nd prize)
 * 2009, People Mover (2nd prize)
 * 2009, Nuovo Ospedale Galliera, Genova (1st prize)
 * 2008,River Douglas Bridge, Lancashire UK
 * 2008, Wejchert Golf Club (2nd prize)
 * 2008, Premio Demonte (3rd prize)
 * 2007, Museo Diocesano, Milano (3rd prize)
 * 2007, Campus Divino Amore, Roma (1st prize)
 * 2007, Waterfront Reggio Calabria (3rd prize)
 * 2006, Museo di Arte Nuragica e Contemporanea, Cagliari (short listed)
 * 2006, Ponte Polcevera, Genova (1st prize)
 * 2006, Aeroporto di Reggio Calabria (1st prize)
 * 2006, Ex Cinema Roma, Parma (1st prize)
 * 2006, Fiera Riva del Garda (short listed)
 * 2006, Nuovo Ospedale San Marco, Catania (2nd prize)
 * 2006, Residenze Varesine, Milano (short listed)
 * 2005, Waterfront Rapallo (short listed)
 * 2005, Residenze Milanofiori, Assago, Milano (1st prize)
 * 2004, Villa Reale di Monza (2nd prize)
 * 2003, Nam June Paik Museum, Kionggy, South Korea
 * 2003, Museo di Pitagora, Crotone (1st prize)
 * 2003, Galleria Sabauda nel Palazzo Reale di Torino (1st prize)
 * 2002, Intercittà, Eco-connections, Reggio Emilia (2nd prize)
 * 2001, Tomihiro Museum, Azuma, Japan (selected)
 * 2011, Polo Intermodale di Trieste FVG (1st prize)

Awards

 * 2024, MIPIM Awards 2024, Winner Best New Development, Cannes
 * 2022, Best Italian Project Award, IQI, Milan
 * 2019, RI.U.SO 06, CNAPPC, Milano
 * 2017, Premio Urbanistica INU, Milano
 * 2016, AAP American Architecture Prize for Architectural Design, New York
 * 2015, In/Arch International Award for Architecture and Design, Milano
 * 2014, Building Healthcare Award for Best International Design, London
 * 2014, Architizer A + Awards, Finalist, London
 * 2013, Ad’A Award for Italian Architecture, Roma
 * 2012, Gold Medal for Italian Architecture, Finalist, La Triennale di Milano
 * 2012, Green Good Design Award, Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, Chicago
 * 2012, WAN Awards Residential, London
 * 2011, LEAF Awards overall winner, London
 * 2011, LEAF Leading European Architect Forum Award, Residential Building of the Year, London
 * 2011, In/Arch Ance Award, Realized architecture by young architect, Roma
 * 2010, Europe 40 Under 40 Award, Madrid
 * 2009, Gold Medal for Italian Architecture, Finalist, La Triennale di Milano
 * 2008, Urbanpromo Award, INU Istituto Nazionale Urbanistica, La Biennale di Venezia
 * 2008, Plusform Award, Best realised architecture under 40, Roma
 * 2007, AR Award for Emerging Architecture, Honourable mention, RIBA, London

Exhibitions

 * 13° Biennale di Venezia di Architettura, Common Ground, Padiglione Italiano, Venezia
 * Beyond Media 03, Università di Firenze, Image, Ospedale degli Innocenti, Firenze, Italy, 2003
 * Intimacy, iMage, Stazione Leopolda, a cura di Marco Brizzi, Firenze, Italy, 2003
 * Graz Biennal on Media and Architecture, ArtImage, Graz, Austria, 2004
 * NIB+ICAR travelling 2004, Roma, Glasgow, Belgrado, Helsinki, Finland, 2004
 * Temporary, Politecnico di Milano, Teatro Franco Parenti, Milano, Italy, 2004
 * 2° Festival dell'Architettura, Laboratorio Italia, Parma, Italy, 2005
 * Biennale del Paesaggio Mediterraneo, Progetti di Paesaggio nel Mediterraneo, Pescara, Italy, 2005
 * V Biennale di Architettura, Contemporary Ecologies. Energies for Italian Architecture, Brasília, Brazil, 2006
 * Architecture: Where to, Cross Borders: concepts of a unified Europe/world, London, UK, 2007
 * Vivere l'ambiente: città e territorio tra crescita e sostenibilità, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2007
 * XI Bienal Internacional de Arquitectura, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2007
 * AR Awards exhibition, Berlin, Germany, 2008
 * Arup World Architecture Festival, Barcellona, Spain, 2008
 * AR Awards exhibition, Budapest, Hungary, 2008
 * Un'estetica del "disordine", Ordine degli Architetti della Provincia di Milano, Italy, 2008
 * AR Awards exhibition, Seoul, South Korea, 2008
 * Giovani Architetti verso il futuro, Auditorium di Palazzo Rosso, Genova, Italy, 2008
 * Medaglia D'Oro all'Architettura Italiana, La Triennale di Milano, Italy, 2009
 * 40 Under 40, Madrid, Spain, 2010
 * Giovani Architetti Italiani, GiArch, Utet, Casa dell'Architettura Roma, Italy, 2010
 * Better City, Better Life, World Trade Centre, Shanghai International Expo, 2010
 * Dal Lido d'Albaro al Lido di Genova, Confindustria, Genova, Italy, 2010
 * Laboratorio di Progettazione Architettonica, OBR, Università di Trieste, Italy, 2010
 * Urban Transformation on the Waterfront of Genoa, USI Accademia di Architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland, 2010
 * Spot on Architecture, Milanofiori, Università di Firenze, Italy, 2010
 * Giovani Architetti, GiArch, Casa dell'Architettura, Roma, Italy, 2010
 * LEED-GBC, Approccio alla sostenibilità nel Real Estate, Genova, Italy, 2011
 * Pragmatic Utopias, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland, 2011
 * ASJ TV, New Wave in Architecture, OBR Open Building Research, Tokyo, Japan, 2011
 * In/Arch Ance, Roma, Italy, 2011
 * Young Blood, Annual dei talenti italiani, Roma, Italy, 2011
 * EDII European Design Innovation Initiative, Helsinki, Finland, 2011
 * Rassegna Italiana, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Italy, 2011
 * Changing Communities: does architecture have the power?, Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, India, 2011
 * Bhartiya Kala Prasarini Sabha's, College of Architecture, Pune, India, 2011
 * Ordine degli Architetti di Bologna, Saie, Bologna, Italy, 2011
 * Rigenerazione Urbana, Catania, Italy, 2011
 * Green City International Forum, Genova, Italy, 2011
 * Italy Now, Congresso UIA Unione Italiana Architetti, Tokyo, Japan, 2011
 * 13° Biennale di Venezia di Architettura, Common Ground, Padiglione Italiano, Venezia, 2012
 * Medaglia D'Oro all'Architettura Italiana, Triennale di Milano, Milano, 2012
 * Workshop Circus Maximus, Roma 3.0, Rome, 2012
 * Right to Energy, MAXXI, Roma, 2013
 * Cellulae, Salone del Mobile, Milano, 2013
 * Piccole Utopie, Tongji University, Shanghai, 2013
 * The Energy of the Road, New urban scenarios in the post-oil era, MAXXI, Roma, 2013
 * Grattanuvole, Torrecomune, Fondazione Catella, Milano, 2014
 * Atelier Castello, Un Bene Comune, La Triennale di Milano, Milano, 2014
 * Africa Big Change Big Change, La Triennale Milano, Milano, 2014
 * Grafting, XIV Biennale di Venezia di Architettura, Padiglione Italiano, Venezia, 2014
 * Emerging Architects, Buro Happold, London, 2014
 * Piccole Utopie, Italian Cultural Institute, Athens, 2014
 * Small Utopias, University of Johannesburg, Johannesbourg, 2014
 * Italy Now, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 2014
 * Life Stripe, Spread, Milano, 2014
 * Medaglia D’Oro all’Architettura Italiana, La Triennale di Milano, Milano, 2015
 * NIB Master Lab, Salerno, 2015
 * Concorso Terrazza Triennale, Palazzo dell’Arte, Milano, 2015
 * Parco Centrale di Prato, Palazzo Pretorio, Prato, 2016
 * Collezione Permanente, MAXXI Architettura, Roma, 2016
 * Metropolis, Orpheum Theatre, Malta, 2016
 * Visioni per Genova, Palazzo Ducale, Genova, 2016
 * LabQ. Laboratorio per la Qualità Urbana, Pisa, 2016
 * Archidiversity, Design for All, Milano, 2016
 * Ebace, Geneve, 2016
 * Interiors. Le stanze del quotidiano, MAXXI, Roma, 2016
 * Blueprint Competition, Palazzo Rosso, Genova, 2016
 * Archweek, Triennale di Milano, Milano, 2016
 * Ebace, Geneve, 2017
 * Interiors. Le stanze del quotidiano, MAXXI, Roma, 2017
 * Blueprint Competition, Palazzo Rosso, Genova, 2017
 * Archweek, Triennale di Milano, Milano, 2017
 * Locus Amoenus Euroflora, Genova, 2018